Jaron Coleman, Unlawful Dumping of Diesel Fuel, Georgia 2018

ALBANY – In a brazen act of environmental vandalism, Jaron Coleman, a 40-year-old truck driver from Oakville, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to dumping approximately 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel onto land draining into a Thomasville, Georgia creek in 2018, forcing the evacuation of Garrison Pilcher Elementary School and sparking a costly clean-up effort led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to the Statement of Fact entered in Court, Coleman dumped the fuel on April 19, 2018, after realizing he had loaded the wrong product for a delivery in Pelham, Georgia. The diesel fuel, which was not authorized for discharge, migrated into an adjacent storm water drainage system that flows directly into a creek, threatening the water quality and ecosystem of the Ochlockonee River, a traditionally navigable waterway protected by the Clean Water Act.

“Illegal dumping into our waterways damages one of our most precious resources. Its harmful repercussions flow well beyond the confines of the initial dump site,” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “We want the public to know that dumping is illegal and can carry serious consequences, including federal prosecution. I want to thank the EPA for its efforts to quickly respond to, investigate and clean up this mess.”

The case was investigated by the EPA, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McCullers prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.

“The illegal discharge of fuel can threaten human health and damage the environment,” said Andy Castro, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Georgia. “EPA and our law enforcement partners are committed to enforcing environmental laws to protect our communities.”

Coleman’s sentencing date has not been scheduled, but he faces serious consequences for his actions, which not only harmed the environment but also put the health and safety of the community at risk.

In a statement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized the importance of protecting the environment and the consequences of illegal dumping. “We will continue to work tirelessly to hold those responsible for environmental crimes accountable,” said the office.

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