A defense attorney pointed the finger at the owner of a Golden Valley-based septic waste hauling firm for illegal dumping in the desert. Legal Defender Sandra Carr did not name the man, but said the owner of American Septic Pumping directed employees to deposit human waste in the desert rather than the landfill.
The septic waste was supposed to be hauled from Grand Canyon West and deposited at the landfill. Instead, thousands of gallons of sludge were scattered in the desert, according to prosecutor Jace Zack.
Carr's comments came during the January 4 sentencing hearing for John Dunn, 45, Kingman. Dunn pled guilty to criminal littering but said he was directed by the owner and his supervisor to engage in the illegal dumping.
``I know ignorance is no excuse but I was doing as I was told," Dunn said. ``I didn't want to lose my job so I did what I was told to do."
Dunn and Carr told Mohave County Superior Court Judge Rick Williams that Dunn has successfully turned his life around
after an extensive criminal history. They said keeping his job was critical in that effort.
Zack previously stated in Court that investigation produced no evidence indicating the owner of the company directed the criminal littering. Dunn's supervisor, Michael Whitten, 25, Golden Valley, also pled guilty to criminal littering.
Judge Williams gave Whitten a 45 day jail sentence. He imposed a 40 day sentence for Dunn.
|
E-Mail Story
Print Story
