A 50-year-old man was arrested and charged after two anonymous complaints of illegal dumping at a Tampa property.
- Arrest after illegal dumping at east Tampa property
- Robert Rogan, owner of American Waste Services and Payless Waste Services, arrested
- Dump site has more than six acres of tires, propane and oxygen tanks, construction materials
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, deputies received two anonymous complaints of illegal dumping at 10716 Broadway Ave. in Tampa in December.
The tipsters said there has been dumping at the site for about six months. There is more than six acres of tires, propane and oxygen tanks, construction materials and other materials that will require removal.
During an investigation, detectives conducted surveillance at the location and learned American Waste Services brought in 40 yard large metal trash bins onto the property and dumped debris 39 times.
In January, detectives initiated a traffic stop on a truck pulling out of the property after a dumping. The driver was identified as Robert Rogan, the owner of American Waste Services and Payless Waste Services.
Further investigation revealed Rogan made a deal to bring the debris onto the property for $100 a load and the debris would later be burned.
Detectives met with prosecutors with the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office to review their findings and a decision was made by the state attorney's office to not file charges until the site was clean due to speedy trial concerns and that Rogan may cease the clean up.
If the clean up was to cease the county would need a court order to enter the private property for the clean up, which would cost in excess of $175,000.
In February, detectives and investigators with Hillsborough County Code Enforcement went back out to the site to check the status of the clean up. The area was not clean and no progress had been made.
Rogan has been charged with felony illegal dumping and has been booked in the Hillsborough County Jail where he is being held without bail.