Arrest made for too many tires

BASTROP – An arrest warrant for a Bastrop County resident’s involvement in illegally dumping used tires on his property was carried out last week, despite several attempts to amicably resolve the issue.

The Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office arrested county landowner David Flippen on a state jail felony arrest warrant with a $25,000 bond June 16, according to reports. Flippen’s dozens of discarded tires spread from his property onto the residential cul-de-sac in front of his residence.

“Illegal dumping is not only unsightly for the community, but also poses environmental and health hazards by polluting waterways with contaminated storm water runoff and attracting rodents and mosquitos which carry diseases,” said Cpl. Kevin Little, environmental investigator.

According to the department, Flippen’s unwillingness to cooperate with the environmental investigator attempting to resolve the issue through warnings led to the Sheriff’s Office pursuing of an arrest warrant for illegal dumping violations The Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Commissioners Court, created an environmental enforcement investigative position within the criminal investigations division in an effort to combat the illegal dumping issue plaguing the county, according to reports.

Violation of the Texas Health and Safety Code can result in fines varying from less than $500 up to $10,000, depending on weight and/or volume of illegal material, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Jail time may be enforced in some cases, up to a maximum of two years.

“This arrest serves as a warning to those that are involved in disposing, allowing or permitting the disposal of litter or other solid waste at a place that is not an approved solid waste site,” Little added.

The investigation is ongoing and may result in additional charges and arrests of any tire shop owners or employees involved in the illegal transportation of used tires dumped in Bastrop County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Bastrop County has a recycling center and transfer station located at 601 Cool Water Drive that accepts tires and other waste material.