Union, Kentucky – A Kentucky man has been ordered to pay over $20,000 in restitution after illegally dumping waste into Big Bone Creek in 2010. Steve Gino Stevenson pled guilty to criminal mischief and was sentenced in November 2010, but details of the case have recently come to light, revealing a deceptive operation and significant environmental damage.
According to Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reports, Stevenson contracted with a homeowner in February 2010 to remove an aging barge from their property, which bordered Big Bone Creek. Stevenson and his crew falsely claimed to be working as subcontractors for the US Army Corps of Engineers – a claim the Corps of Engineers has denied. The crew began the removal but abandoned the project prematurely, leaving behind a substantial amount of debris, described as a styrofoam-like substance, both on the land and directly entering the waterway.
The abandoned waste quickly became an environmental hazard. High water levels caused the material to wash off the riverbank and disperse downstream, contaminating miles of Big Bone Creek. Investigators determined the barge itself was over 40 years old, and the waste contained within had accumulated over decades. The homeowner, left with a mess and a damaged property, contacted authorities, initiating the investigation.
Legal Ramifications
Stevenson was indicted on July 20, 2010, on one count of violating Kentucky state environmental regulation 512040. He subsequently pled guilty on November 7, 2010, to Criminal Mischief III, a misdemeanor under Kentucky state law, specifically for the degradation of the Commonwealth’s waters. The sentencing on November 17, 2010, mandated Stevenson pay a total of $20,243 in restitution.
Restitution Breakdown
The restitution was divided to address the direct damages caused by Stevenson’s actions. $7,600 was ordered to be paid to the homeowner to cover property damage, while $12,643 was allocated to the contractor hired to clean up the extensive waste left behind by Stevenson and his crew. This cleanup involved the removal of the hazardous material from the riverbank and the creek itself, a costly and time-consuming undertaking.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Steve Gino Stevenson
- Location: Union, Kentucky (Big Bone Creek)
- Year of Offense: 2010
- Statute Violated: Kentucky State Regulation 512040, Criminal Mischief III
- Restitution: $20,243 (split between homeowner and cleanup contractor)
- False Claim: Stevenson falsely represented his work as authorized by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
- Waste Material: Styrofoam-like substance from within a decades-old barge.
This case highlights the importance of proper waste disposal and the severe consequences of environmental crimes. While the penalties in this instance were limited to restitution, the long-term ecological impact of the pollution remains a concern, and underscores the need for vigilance in protecting Kentucky’s waterways.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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