Thursday, February 19, 2009    

MONTH LONG INVESTIGATION INTO ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES PAYS OFF

Mohave County Sheriff’s detectives arrested Michael Bray Whitten, 26,
of Golden Valley, and John E. Dunn, 45, of Kingman, early Thursday
(2/19) afternoon on very serious multiple felony offenses.  Both Whitten
and Dunn were each arrested for criminal littering/polluting, felonies.
January of 2009 the Sheriff’s Office received information that All
American Septic Pumping was not disposing of waste properly.  An
immediate investigation began which included ground units, aircraft from
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and aircraft from Arizona Department of
Public Safety to conduct surveillance on All American Septic Pumping
business.  Developments in the investigation occurred when All American
Septic Pumping was observed dumping sewage on a roadway in the Dolan
Springs area.  Approximately 10:00 a.m., a search warrant was executed
at the business located at 2705 West Old Highway 66 in Golden Valley
where records were seized and two arrests were made.  The manager
identified as Whitten and an employee identified as Dunn were taken into
custody without incident.  Whitten and Dunn were transported and booked
into the Mohave County Jail. Investigations also determined that waste
was being dumped in a wash behind the business.  Mohave County Health
Department was advised of the dumping sites.  The Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality will also be notified.  This investigation
continues and charges may be filed against the owner of the business.

JOHN E DUNN	MICHAEL BRAY WHITTEN