Charles County Man Placed on Probation for Open Burning Without a Permit

BALTIMORE, MD (January 9, 2009) - Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Michael F. Mona, Jr., 35, of 9350 Mona Farm Place in La Plata, was found guilty in the District Court of Maryland for Charles County of illegally causing an open fire without obtaining a required permit. The offense is a misdemeanor in violation of the State’s Ambient Air Quality Control laws.

On February 24, 2007, at 6970 Our Place in Port Tobacco, Mona burned large quantities of wood waste without a permit. The Marbury Volunteer Fire Company responded to the scene of the fire which, due to its large size, involved a multi-company response. Judge Richard A. Cooper imposed a 90-day suspended jail sentence and placed Mona on probation before judgment for a period of 18 months. He was also ordered to complete 16 hours of community work service and to pay $975 in restitution to the Marbury Volunteer Fire Company.

This case follows an investigation conducted by the Environmental Crimes Unit of the Office of the Attorney General with the assistance of the Maryland Department of Environment’s Waste Management Administration, the Maryland State Police, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management, and the 10th District Volunteer Fire Department.