MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Growing up, you may remember Woodsy Owl telling you to, “Give a hoot – don’t pollute.” Here, in Marion County, we have Rubbish the Raccoon reminding us that there’s “No Horsin’ Around” when it comes to keeping our county clean.

The Marion County Commission continues to recognize those who make a significant impact in the fight against litter. At the March 18 commission meeting, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Wade Constance received the Litter Hero Award for his investigative work that led to the arrest of the person responsible for illegally dumping over 5,000 pounds of trash.

FWC Officer Constance examines 5,240 pounds of litter found along State Road 19. HIs investigation led to an arrest in Orange County.
FWC Officer Constance examines 5,240 pounds of litter found along State Road 19. HIs investigation led to an arrest in Orange County. Courtesy: Marion County Board of County Commissioners

The case originated from a large pile of waste – totaling 5,240 pounds – left along State Road 19. The debris consisted of materials from a home renovation, including a barn-door-style bedroom door and uniquely designed lamp fixtures. Officer Constance examined the site and uncovered evidence linking the litter to an address in Clay County.

His investigation led him to an online real estate profile of the property, which confirmed the connection. After speaking with the Clay County property owner, he found out that a renovation company had been hired for the project. The company’s owner told him that the waste hadn’t been removed from the bed of a dump truck sold just days earlier.

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Officer Constance continued tracking the disposal trail and discovered that the dump truck’s buyer was paid $100 in cash to properly dispose of the waste. He used license plate reader photos to identify the vehicle passing through an intersection near the site during the timeframe of the violation. He later found the buyer in Orange County, conducted an interview, and got a post-Miranda confession, leading to an arrest.

The Marion County Commission’s Litter Task Force, established in 2021, regularly honors individuals like Officer Constance who contribute to keeping the county clean and free from illegal dumping.

“Thanks to Officer Constance’s dedication and unwavering commitment to environmental protection, Marion County is a cleaner and safer place for residents and visitors alike,” shared the commissioners in a press release.

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