In a significant environmental enforcement case, two Maryland men have been convicted for illegally discharging pollutants into a Montgomery County waterway, endangering public health and local ecosystems. The convictions, announced by Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, underscore the state’s commitment to holding individuals and businesses accountable for environmental violations.
The Illegal Dumping Incident
The case stems from an incident on April 18, 2024, when Robert H. Dupey, 51, of Randallstown, and Jaime A. Beza, 33, of Berwyn Heights, employees of JPG Plumbing and Mechanical, Inc., were tasked with vacuuming water and sludge from a site in Montgomery County. Upon discovering that their truck was too full of grease and other pollutants to complete the job, the duo chose to bypass proper disposal protocols. Instead of driving to the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Facility in Washington, D.C., they opted to illegally dump the waste into a manhole behind a 7-Eleven in the Ashton Village Center.
Surveillance footage captured the moment Dupey removed the vacuum hose from the truck while Beza opened the manhole. The waste, which included grease and other harmful substances, flowed directly into Ashton Pond, a vital part of a residential community. The discharge polluted the pond and clogged its drainage pipes, prompting immediate concern from local residents.
Environmental and Public Health Impact
The illegal dumping had severe consequences for the local environment. Ashton Pond, a serene waterbody enjoyed by residents, was contaminated with grease, threatening aquatic life and the surrounding ecosystem. A concerned citizen reported the incident, leading to a swift response from authorities. Absorbent booms were deployed to contain the spill, and JPG Plumbing and Mechanical ultimately incurred over $69,000 in cleanup costs.
“Illegally dumping toxic waste into our waterways is not just reckless—it’s an outright betrayal of the responsibility businesses and their employees have to our communities,” said Attorney General Brown. “This kind of lawlessness endangers public health, harms our environment, and will not be tolerated.”
Legal Consequences
The investigation, led by the Attorney General’s Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit (ENRCU) and the Montgomery County Department of the Environment, culminated in guilty pleas from both defendants.
- Jaime A. Beza pleaded guilty to discharge of a pollutant on December 30, 2024. He was sentenced to 364 days in jail, all suspended, with supervised probation and a $2,000 fine payable to the Maryland Clean Water Fund.
- Robert H. Dupey pleaded guilty to the same charge on January 29, 2025. He received probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine to the Maryland Clean Water Fund.
Attorney General Brown praised the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies in bringing the case to justice.
“This prosecution demonstrates the importance of teamwork in protecting our natural resources,” he said. “I thank the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, State’s Attorney John McCarthy, and my team at the Environmental and Natural Resources Crimes Unit for their dedication to this case.” A Warning to Others
The convictions serve as a stark reminder that environmental violations carry serious consequences. “Maryland’s waterways are precious resources that must be protected,” said Assistant Attorney General Eileen Murphy, who prosecuted the case. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who disregard the law and put our environment at risk.”
As Maryland continues to prioritize environmental protection, this case highlights the critical role of vigilant citizens and law enforcement in safeguarding the state’s natural treasures. For the residents of Ashton, the cleanup and convictions mark a step toward restoring their community’s environmental health.
