Merlando Corlis, Violating Clean Water Act, Florida 2016

Tampa, FL – A Tampa man has been sentenced to three years of probation and hefty fines for illegally dumping untreated human waste into a local waterway, according to the Department of Justice. Merlando Corlis, 48, was sentenced on August 9, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew after pleading guilty in April of the same year.

The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, revealed that between June 2012 and December 2013, Corlis directed the removal of sewage from a septic tank on his property located at 4509 Orient Road. Instead of proper disposal, the waste was vacuumed and deliberately discharged into a stream connecting East Lake to the Palm River.

Federal prosecutors detailed the severity of the offense, highlighting the public health risks associated with untreated sewage. The discharge contained harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses capable of causing acute illness in both humans and animals. The EPA’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Andy Castro, emphasized the agency’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws and safeguarding communities from pollution.

“Our nation’s environmental laws are designed to protect public health and safety,” Castro stated. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates that the EPA and its law enforcement partners will take action to protect communities and their local water supplies from pollution.” The case underscores the EPA’s increasingly aggressive stance toward illegal pollution practices, particularly those that directly impact water resources.

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Penalties and Legal Ramifications

Corlis was charged with violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. §1311(a), which prohibits the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters without a permit. In addition to the 36-month probationary sentence, Corlis was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine. Furthermore, he was directed to make a $25,000 community service payment to the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, aimed at supporting local environmental restoration projects.

Key Facts

Defendant: Merlando Corlis
Location: Tampa, Florida
Crime: Illegal discharge of untreated human waste
Dates of Offense: June 2012 – December 2013
Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. §1311(a) (Clean Water Act)
Sentence: 3 years probation, $25,000 fine, $25,000 to National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
Investigating Agencies: EPA, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission

Assistant United States Attorney Megan K. Kistler prosecuted the case, demonstrating a commitment to environmental enforcement within the Middle District of Florida. The incident serves as a stark reminder that illegal pollution carries significant legal and financial consequences, and that authorities are actively monitoring and prosecuting offenders who disregard environmental regulations.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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