February 19, 2024 - Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, reports the discovery of illegal dumping sites in the north end of Shelby County, and the arrest of the alleged individual responsible by Shelby County Constables on February 13, 2024.
According to Constable Tipton, around eight months ago an investigation began into illegal tire dumping in the northern part of Shelby County, and he reached out to Constable Taylor Fanguy and Constable Roy Cheatwood to assist.
During that time, TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) was contacted and they traveled with the constables to the dump sites; however, no action was yet taken by the agency.
A month previous to this report, more complaints were being received and as constables deepened their investigation they discovered two dump sites in remote areas that were much larger than those originally found.
Two more representatives of TCEQ were contacted and they reviewed the newly discovered dump locations and the constables then opened their own investigation into the illegal dumping.
Constables gained permission to access the property of residents in the area of the dump sites. They then gained statements from several individuals about the illegal dumping and as a result learned the name of their suspect, where he was from and what he was doing to collect so many tires.
The suspect is alleged to be picking up old tires, for a small fee, from tire stores and instead of transporting them to a recycling plant he was then dumping them in Shelby County instead of paying a fee at a recycling plant.
Constable Tipton advises that any kind of commercial dumping such as tires or hazardous material is illegal, and anything for commercial use dumped and in a quantity of over 200 pounds is a felony. Even more egregious is dumping near waterways and residential areas as those kinds of materials need to be taken to a TCEQ qualified facility for appropriate disposal.
Constables established surveillance late one night, and the suspect didn’t arrive. On the following day as the officers were preparing for surveillance at another location, the suspect was observed at a tire store in Timpson.
The constables set up at strategic location so as not to be observed by the suspect, and another individual covertly followed him while reporting to the officers of his location. Once at an advantageous location, a traffic stop by the constables was initiated of the suspect, who was hauling a large load of tires.
Constable Tipton states that during a roadside interview of the driver, he admitted to the illegal tire dumping and indicated the dump sites. The constables arrested Paul Sanders, 60, of Jacksonville on a warrant out of Rusk County for theft, misdemeanor b.
TCEQ was notified of the arrest, and Constable Tipton reports further interview of Sanders was conducted by constables and TCEQ.
Additional charges are pending at a later date.
It’s been determined that tires were being brought to Shelby County from Henderson, Jacksonville, as well as Carthage and dumped. Constables, TCEQ and other agencies are in discussion as to how to clean up the large quantity of tires.
