Operator of Passamaquoddy Tribe’s treatment plant sentenced to 10 days in jail for illegally dumping sewage

A Washington County man has been sentenced to 10 days in jail for dumping about 96,000 gallons of raw sewage from a wastewater treatment plant in Indian Township in a residential neighborhood.

Dennis L. Brown Jr., 32, of Princeton, pleaded guilty to a criminal violation of environmental laws. He was sentenced and fined $2,500 by Judge David Mitchell in Calais District Court on Wednesday, the same day he pleaded guilty to the charge. Brown is scheduled to report to jail on Feb. 5.

Brown, who served as the certified operator for the Passamaquoddy Tribal Government’s wastewater treatment plant in Indian Township, dumped the raw sewage from a malfunctioning pump station on the ground and into nearby woods and waters over several days in November 2014, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Brown first told the Maine Department of Environmental Protection that the sewage was taken by tanker truck to another working station for further pumping to the tribal wastewater treatment plant, but the department was later notified that up to 96,000 gallons had been illegally dumped.

“Public works departments try hard to comply with Maine’s environmental laws in order to protect the environment and the health and safety of all Maine people,” Attorney General Janet Mills said in a written statement. “On those rare occasions when a person violates these laws with criminal intent, this office will prosecute and seek significant sanctions to deter future violations. In this case, not only was there an impact on the environment, but Brown’s conduct created a serious risk to the health and safety of nearby residents.”

Brown also agreed to formally surrender his wastewater operator’s certification.

Scott Dolan can be contacted at 791-6304 or at:

[email protected]

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