Misuse of recycling bins, illegal dumping

The Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management District has handled a few recent cases of people misusing the district’s recycling bins or illegally dumping. All of the following either appeared in Lawrence County Municipal Court or Ironton Municipal Court.

• Shawn Laber, of Pedro, was found guilty of felony open dumping in Ironton Municipal Court. Laber dumped countless bags of trash, other litter, including plastics and other household items, outside of bags, tires and more into his backyard. The charge was reduced to a third-degree misdemeanor, and he was sentenced to 60 days jail suspended, and ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs.

• Gosa Hernandez and Bernardo Perez Labra, both of South Point, were found guilty of disposing mattresses in the recycling bins at the Sam’s Club/Walmart location. Both appeared in Lawrence County Municipal Court, and they were sentenced to five days in jail suspended, one year of probation, and they were ordered to pay $179 in restitution to the district between them, a $50 fine for each and court costs.

• Brian Vasvary, of Chesapeake, was found guilty of disposing of household doors in the recycling bins at the Sam’s Club/Walmart location in South Point. He appeared in Lawrence County Municipal Court. He was ordered to pay $169.29 in restitution to the district, a $75 fine and court costs.

• Todd Daniels, of Proctorville, was found guilty of disposing wooden furniture in the recycling bins at the Proctorville Foodfair location. He appeared in Lawrence County Municipal Court, and was sentenced to one year of probation, and ordered to pay $149 in restitution to the district, a $250 fine and court costs.

Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management Director Dan Palmer and district enforcement officer Steve Hileman said that anyone breaking the law, either misusing the district’s recycling bins or illegally dumping, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.