Man Sentenced After Dumping Illegal Waste Near Indian Creek

LAUREL, MD — A Prince George's County man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to illegally dumping cooking oil near the Indian Creek.

A witness notified authorities that a person had been seen dumping something at the dead end of Van Dusen Road in Laurel. Investigators observed a man arriving once a week at the same time in the early morning hours in a dark green pickup truck carrying two 55-gallon drums. The man would dump the drums then leave.

On Aug. 23, 2023, police officers approached the driver, later identified as Philip Robinson, 67, of Laurel, who was in the act of dumping the barrels. He told the officers that the oil was from grease traps, then clarified that it was cooking oil. However, after the oil was dumped on the ground, it flowed down a ditch and toward the Indian Creek, which is a state waterway.

“Illegally dumping cooking grease, oil or any pollutant can harm our waterways and the communities that depend on them,” said Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. “My office will always hold accountable those who pollute Maryland’s waters and threaten Marylanders’ health.”

In Prince George’s County, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission regulates the removal and disposal of fats, oils and grease due to the potential of harm to the environment and damage to the sanitation systems. WSSC confirmed that Robinson did not have a required waste hauler license or permit necessary to perform waste hauling services.

On Sept. 5, Robinson pleaded guilty to discharge of a pollutant and was sentenced to a one-year suspended sentence, two years of probation and 60 hours of community service.