Litter task force busts trash dumpers in Ocala National Forest

[Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission]

The Marion County Litter Task Force has aided in an investigation that led to the recent arrest of two people accused of dumping nearly 3,000 pounds of garbage in the Ocala National Forest.

The task force is made up of members of local and state government and law enforcement agencies, businesses and community partners including the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, City of Ocala, City of Dunnellon, City of Dunnellon, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Forest Service, Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, and Fifth District Office of the State Attorney.

Commissioner Crag Curry hosted a press conference on Monday announcing the recent arrest in the case of a large-scale trash dumping offense, in addition to highlighting community cleanup efforts.

“It’s a multimillion-dollar effort to go out and pick up someone’s litter and to clean up the illegal dumping,” Curry said. “The litter offenders need to be reminded that watchful eyes of our community are everywhere, and people are tired of it. They’re sick and tired of people trashing our beautiful community.”

The FWC investigated the case after a report was made through the Marion County Litter Task Force. The dumpsite within the Ocala National Forest consisted of 2,780 pounds of household trash, including furniture and appliances, an agency spokesperson said.

FWC Cpt. Robert Johnston announced the arrest of one of the subjects on Monday morning.

“The subject, Gary Dwayne Cardwell, was arrested on June 4 and charged with felony dumping over 500 pounds, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance which tested positive for fentanyl, and possession of drug paraphernalia,” Johnston said.

The dumping was reported to the Marion County Litter Task Force, which contacted FWC to initiate the investigation into the crime.

“The gist of the trash was household garbage and appliances, almost 3,000 pounds, that was dumped in the forest, and it came from their house,” Johnston said. “These two individuals took it on a trailer into the forest and basically just made it somebody else’s problem by dumping it there.”

The City of Ocala assisted with the investigation through information from the Code Enforcement Department, which was able to identity and locate the trailer that was used to dump the trash in the forest, said State Attorney Bill Gladson.

“We pride ourselves on being a beautiful community, and we pride ourselves on being able to enjoy the outdoors, so the community effort is evidenced by this particular arrest,” Gladson said. “We’re going to seek prosecution. We’ve already got both cases in the queue.”

After the conclusion of the press conference, a second arrest was made for the other suspect accused of dumping trash in the forest.

“At approximately 2:30 p.m., FWC officers located the second suspect, Johnny Reese, and arrested him for felony dumping. Reese was cooperative and was transported to Marion County jail,” wrote FWC spokesperson Kristen Turner.

The garbage was cleaned up and removed from the Ocala National Forest in coordination with Marion County Solid Waste Management, according to FWC.