Illegal Dumping Arrest in Bastrop County

On Sunday June 16th, 2024, the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office arrested David Flippen, a Bastrop County resident and landowner on a State Jail Felony Arrest Warrant with a $25,000 dollar bond. The Arrest Warrant was issued due to David’s involvement in illegally dumping used discarded tires on his property as well as the residential cul-de-sac in front of his residence.
David’s unwillingness to cooperate with the Environmental Investigator attempting to resolve the issue through warnings of possible charges being filed if not resolved led to the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office to pursue an Arrest Warrant for Illegal Dumping violations.
The Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office along with the Commissioners Court created an Environmental Enforcement Investigative position within the Criminal Investigations Division in an effort to combat the Illegal Dumping issue plaguing the Bastrop County Community.
Violation of the Texas Health & Safety Code, Section 365 can result in fines varying from less than $500 to up to $10,000, depending on weight and/or volume of illegal material. Also, jail time may be enforced in some cases from less than 180 days to up to two years.
Illegal dumping is not only unsightly for the community, but also poses environmental and health hazards by polluting waterways with contaminated stormwater runoff and attracting rodents and mosquitoes which carry diseases.
This arrest serves as a warning to those that are involved in disposing, allowing, or permitting the disposal of litter or other solid waste at a place that is not an approved solid waste site.
This investigation is ongoing and may result in additional charges and arrests of any Tire Shop owners or employees involved in the illegal transportation of used discarded tires illegally dumped in Bastrop County.
Bastrop County has a Bastrop County Recycling Center and Transfer Station located at 601 Cool Water Dr, Bastrop, TX 78602 that accepts tires and other waste material.