Cecil Lamar Person, Illegal Dumping, LA 2012

New Orleans, LA – In 2012, Cecil Lamar Person and his associate, Floyd Person, were brought to justice following a coordinated investigation dubbed “Operation Jubilee,” targeting rampant illegal dumping in the historically underserved communities of New Orleans East and the Ninth Ward. The operation, a joint effort between federal, state, and local agencies, aimed to address the pervasive environmental blight and health hazards created by numerous clandestine landfills and dumpsites.

The investigation began in December 2010, with authorities focusing on the Almonaster and Old Gentilly corridors. Evidence quickly led to Cecil Lamar Person and Floyd Person, who were identified as key figures in the illegal dumping operation. On December 8th, 2010, Cecil Person was formally charged with violating Louisiana state regulations, specifically LA R.S. 14.56 – Criminal Damage to Property, and LA R.S. 30.2025(F)(2)(a) – Willful Disposal of a Substance. Floyd Person received a similar charge for willful disposal of a substance on December 14th, 2010.

As the investigation deepened, a superseding information was filed on September 18, 2011, expanding the charges against both defendants. They were now facing 14 counts of simple criminal damage to property, as outlined in LA R.S. 14.56.B(2), in addition to the original charge of willfully disposing of a harmful substance. The sheer volume of illegal dumping attributed to the Persons underscored the scale of the environmental damage and the disregard for community well-being.

The case culminated in guilty pleas from both defendants on November 8, 2011. Cecil Lamar Person received a 12-month incarceration sentence, followed by a 24-month probation period. He was also ordered to pay a $500 state fine, along with $1,000 to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) to cover prosecution costs. Notably, Person was also mandated to personally remove 100 loads of solid waste from the affected dump site as part of his sentence, a direct attempt at remediation.

Floyd Person faced a similar fate, receiving a 12-month incarceration sentence, 24 months of probation, a $500 fine, and a $1,000 payment to the LDEQ. His remediation requirement involved the removal of 30 loads of solid waste. The sentencing reflected the seriousness with which authorities were treating the environmental crimes and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for the cleanup of their actions. “Operation Jubilee” served as a crucial example of targeted enforcement in Environmental Justice communities, where illegal dumping disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Cecil Lamar Person & Floyd Person
Location: New Orleans East & Ninth Ward, Louisiana
Year: 2012 (charges filed in 2010-2011)
Statutes Violated:
- LA R.S. 14.56 – Criminal Damage to Property
- LA R.S. 30.2025(F)(2)(a) – Willful Disposal of a Substance
Penalties: 12 months incarceration, 24 months probation, $500 fine, $1,000 to LDEQ, Waste Removal (Cecil: 100 loads, Floyd: 30 loads)
Operation: “Operation Jubilee” – focused on illegal dumping in Environmental Justice communities.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments in environmental crime and report on efforts to protect communities from pollution and illegal dumping.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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