FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2003
CONTACT: Lucia Ross, (850) 245-2862
Auto Salvage Owner Arrested for Felony Violation
WAUCHULA – Late Tuesday, Florida Department of
Environmental Protection law enforcement agents arrested Carl
Allen Reitnauer of Hardee County for violating Florida’s
environmental laws.
Reitnauer, age 64, owner of Carl’s Auto Salvage
in Zolfo Springs, was arrested at his salvage company and
charged with a third degree felony violation for commercial
littering and one misdemeanor for operating an unpermitted waste
facility.
Yesterday’s arrest culminates a
four-month investigation by the Department and the Hardee
County Sheriff’s Office. The Department’s law enforcement
investigators first became involved after a routine
regulatory inspection uncovered improper operations at the
facility.
Forensic samples taken at the salvage yard
revealed illegal levels of soil contamination caused by a
car-crushing operation. Petroleum products, such as gasoline,
were not properly removed from automobiles before being crushed,
causing liquids to leak and soak into the ground.
Reitnauer was booked into the Hardee County
jail. An arraignment date has not been set. If found guilty,
Reitnauer could face up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine
for the felony charge, and up to one year in jail and a $500
fine for the misdemeanor.
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Press Office
