07-03-2025
Man faces criminal charges in Smith Canal illegal dumping investigation
A man has been arrested in a months-long investigation into an illegal petroleum dumping incident last September at the Smith Canal Waterway in Stockton.
On Tuesday, California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Law Enforcement Division announced that charges have been brought against David Andrew Sump.
Sump is accused of dumping roughly 280 gallons of waste oil into the waterway and surrounding environment, according to authorities
Charges filed by the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office include destruction of public property/vandalism, and disposal of hazardous waste. Sump also faces two misdemeanor charges related to the alleged dumping, fish and wildlife officials stated.
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On Sept. 28, the state's Office of Spill Prevention and Response, U.S. Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency and Stockton Police Department responded to reports of released petroleum product near the Smith Canal.
The agencies recovered oil from the waterway and removed impacted soil along the canal, according to California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials.
An investigation was started following the discovery of the illegal dumping and subsequent clean up efforts. Wildlife officers spent weeks collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses, authorities said.
Multiple people also called in tips to the state department's CalTIP Hotline.
'Invaluable information was gained from these tips, ultimately providing our investigating officers with enough information to request an arrest warrant,' said Nathaniel Arnold, fish and wildlife chief of law enforcement. 'The CalTip Program has again proven to be a crucial tool in protecting public safely and our natural resources.'
California Statewide Law Enforcement Associated echoed Arnold's sentiments regarding the investigation.
'We are grateful to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel who responded to the reports of released petroleum product, to the citizens who used California Department of Fish and Wildlife's tip line, and to the law enforcement investigators who identified a suspect," Association President Alan Barcelona stated in a news release. "It is important that we protect our waterways and environment from harmful substances.'
To report a poaching or polluting incident or any fish and wildlife violation, call the CALTIP number 1 888 334-CALTIP (888 334-2258), or text 'CALTIP' followed by a space and the message to 847411 (tip411).
This article originally appeared on The Record: Man accused of dumping 280 gallons of oil into Stockton's Smith Canal
