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VERO BEACH- Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) law
enforcement agents recently arrested Cameron Cox, an employee of Frank’s
Taxidermy, for violating the Florida Litter Law, a third degree felony
punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine up to $5,000.
“Thanks to the timely notification and assistance in investigating this crime
by the Vero Beach Police Department, DEP law enforcement agents were able to
quickly solve this environmental crime,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement
Director Henry Barnet. “We encourage all citizens to utilize tools like dialing
#DEP from a cellular phone or calling the State Warning Point (1-877-2-SAVE-FL)
to help us enforce Florida’s laws and to better protect our environment.”
The illegal dump site was discovered December 4, 2008 by Officer John
Morrison of the Vero Beach Police Department, who notified DEP by calling the
State Warning Point. Officer Morrison was aware of the procedure of reporting
environmental crimes after attending DEP’s Environmental Crimes outreach
training earlier this year.
After an inspection of the taxidermy business located at 4675 US Highway 1 in
Vero Beach, DEP agents discovered the illegal disposal of business-generated
waste in an undeveloped privately-owned piece of property several miles away
from Frank’s Taxidermy. Approximately 350 pounds of solid waste was discovered,
including animal remains, taxidermy waste, household waste and resins.
When investigators interviewed Cox, he revealed he had illegally dumped
material at this site at least once before during the nearly one-year period he
worked part-time for Frank’s Taxidermy. He also told authorities that he dumped
the material in this location because the Indian River County Convenience Center
for waste was closed on the day he needed to drop it off.
DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental
resource law enforcement, as well as providing law enforcement services to
Florida’s state parks and greenways and trails. Agents investigate environmental
resource crimes and illegal dredge and fill activities, and respond to natural
disasters, civil unrest, hazardous material incidents and oil spills that
threaten the environment.
To report an environmental crime, wireless customers can now dial #DEP.
Callers can also report environmental crimes to the State Warning Point by
calling (877) 2-SAVE-FL (1.877.272.8335). General environmental inquiries should
be directed to DEP district offices during business hours.
For more information about DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/law.
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2012 State of Florida