ATTORNEY GENERAL CHARGES TWO MEN WITH ILLEGALLY DUMPING IN BALTIMORE CITY

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that Jason Tart, 34, of the 5000 block of Forge Road in Perry Hall, Maryland, and John Cromwell, 63, of the 4400 block of MacWorth Place in Baltimore, Maryland are charged with dumping solid waste in excess of 216 cubic feet, and dumping solid waste for commercial gain in a warehouse located at 3501 E. Biddle Street in Baltimore City, Maryland.

The charging document alleges that on or about April 28, 2004 and continuing through and including May 22, 2004, Tart and Cromwell disposed of solid waste on private property. Each count is a misdemeanor that carries a possible penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.

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 Maryland Department of the Environment. A trial date has not been set.

A charging document is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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