Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced the arrest of Charles Weiss and Marvin Sandoval for allegedly violating Suffolk's Evergreen Law. The two men are accused of dumping construction waste and household debris in a protected area within the Long Island Central Pine Barrens Region.
District Attorney Tierney emphasized the importance of protecting the environment, stating, "The Long Island Pine Barrens are necessary to the health of our ecosystem, but at the same time, is incredibly fragile. I am fully committed to preserving our natural heritage and will take any and all actions necessary to deter and defend against pollution."
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine echoed this sentiment, warning that anyone caught dumping trash in county parks "will face the full strength of the law." He expressed gratitude towards District Attorney Tierney and local law enforcement for their efforts in safeguarding parklands.
The investigation revealed that on November 6, 2024, Weiss and Sandoval allegedly used a U-Haul truck to transport various waste materials into a remote wooded area where they dumped them. Items reportedly included wood furniture pieces, paint cans, shower doors, chandeliers, styrofoam, a sink, granite countertop tools, and bags of garbage.
Their activities were reported by two civilian witnesses who discovered identifying information among the debris and contacted authorities. A joint investigation by several local agencies identified Weiss and Sandoval as having been hired for a cleanup job for $1,000 but chose illegal disposal instead.
The arrests come under the Suffolk County Evergreen Initiative launched in December 2023. This initiative aims to curb illegal dumping through increased enforcement efforts and harsher penalties while encouraging civilians to report such activities.