CONTACT: 919/856-4530

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday - June 30, 2004

ELIZABETH CITY - United States Attorney Frank D. Whitney announced that seven individuals pled guilty and were sentenced in federal court in Elizabeth City, N. C., on Monday, June 28, 2004, for unauthorized dumping and/or littering within the Croatan National Forest, Carteret County, N. C. All of the violations occurred during March and April, 2004.

In each case, the refuse that had been dumped led law enforcement officers to the offenders. Chief U. S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle imposed sentences that ranged from a $200.00 fine to a sentence of two years probation, with a requirement that the defendant complete 100 hours of community service by assisting in the clean-up of the Croatan.

Those persons convicted and sentenced were:

ROGER L. FREEMAN, JR., 22, of 105 Lynnwayne Circle, Havelock, N. C.

BENJAMIN L. LEAL, 28, of 403 Cottonwood Court, Havelock, N. C.

ROBERT W. WILLIS, JR., 47, of 758 Tom Mann Road, Newport, N. C.

STEPHEN M. PHILLIPS, 21, of 105 Brynita Lane, Newport, N. C.

MICHAEL J. McILNAY, 21, of 133 Bryan Boulevard, Havelock, N. C.

BRANDON D. PETERS, 22, of 108 Kobe Drive, Havelock, N. C.

MICHAEL L. CROSSETT, 23, of 239 Sanders Lane, Havelock, N. C.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Forest Service, and Assistant U. S. Attorney Barbara D. Kocher prosecuted the cases for the United States.