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THE BLUEPRINT:
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Two individuals charged after dumping in Pine Barrens and pleaded not guilty
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24 tons of concrete found allegedly dumped by construction company owner
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Residential dumping allegedly caught via trail camera in Manorville
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Officials stress environmental harm and legal consequences
After two investigations following commercial and residential dumping incidents in the pine barrens, authorities announced the arrest of two individuals.
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr., said in a news release that his office “has been patrolling the pine barrens for over 30 years and we take our role very seriously.
“These arrests are a direct result of enhanced surveillance, interagency teamwork and the diligence of our environmental enforcement units,” he added. “Both individuals could have disposed of their waste legally—but they chose not to. Illegal dumping is lazy and harmful to our Island’s environment and taxpayers’ wallets.”
Joao Abreu, a Port Jefferson resident and the owner of Chase Construction Enterprises, had allegedly dumped 24 tons of concrete in a remote wooded area in Yaphank, officials said. His arrest followed a six-week investigation with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office, and included license plate checks, vehicle tracking, background checks and witness interviews.
James D’Angelo, Abreau’s attorney, told LIBN that his client pleaded not guilty.
“We are going to be fighting the case,” D’Angelo said.
Abreu was charged with felony criminal mischief. He faces up to seven years in prison, and based on additional pending charges, fines up to $150,000.
In addition, officials said Abreau allegedly had 27 license suspensions and did not have a valid CDL license. His commercial vehicle, which authorities said was used to illegally dump the concrete was seized and said to have 19 safety violations.
Jeanne Rodriguez, a Riverhead resident, was arrested after a trail camera captured a U-Haul truck dumping such household items as mattresses, box springs, dressers, and a television in a secluded section of the pine barrens in Manorville. Officials said that following a “thorough investigation,” Rodriquez was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, as well as multiple violations of local dumping laws.
Rodriguez pleaded not guilty. LIBN was unable to immediately reach anyone at Suffolk County Legal Aid, which officials said was representing Rodriguez.
“These alleged acts of illegal dumping in our treasured pine barrens were egregious and demonstrated a blatant disregard for environmental laws designed to protect our ecosystem,” District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a news release.
