BALTIMORE CITY BROTHERS CHARGED WITH WATER POLLUTION

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that brothers, Sherman Knuckles, 42, and Tommy Knuckles, 37, both of Baltimore City, were charged separately in the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City with water pollution.

The charging documents allege that the defendants violated the State's water pollution laws on February 25, 2003 by illegally discharging lead paint-laden wastewater into waters of the State. The discharge is alleged to have occurred on the 500 block of South Rose Street in Baltimore City.

If convicted of the charges, each of the defendants could face up to one year of imprisonment and/or a $25,000 fine. The filing of charges is merely an accusation of criminal wrongdoing and anyone charged is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

These charges follow a joint investigation conducted by the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Office of the Attorney General and the Baltimore City Police Department, with the assistance of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Pollution Control Section.
Trial has been set for February 10, 2004 in Baltimore City.

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