Bastrop County man arrested for illegally dumping tires on his property and in a nearby cul-de-sac | Texas

BASTROP, Texas — A Bastrop County man was arrested Sunday for dumping old tires on his property and in a nearby dead-end street, authorities said.

David Flippen, a Bastrop County resident and landowner, was taken into custody on a state prison warrant and $25,000 bail. The warrant was issued after Flippen allegedly ignored warnings from an environmental investigator about possible charges if the case was not resolved.

The Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Commissioners Court, has established an Environmental Investigation Unit within the Criminal Investigation Division to address the problem of illegal dumping in the county. Violations of Texas Health & Safety Code Section 365 can result in fines ranging from less than $500 to $10,000 and jail sentences ranging from less than 180 days to two years.

Illegal dumping poses significant environmental and health risks, including polluting waterways and attracting disease-carrying rodents and mosquitoes. The sheriff’s office stressed that this arrest serves as a warning to those involved in illegal dumping.

The investigation is ongoing and may result in additional charges and arrests of tire dealers or employees involved in the illegal transportation of scrap tires in Bastrop County. Residents are asked to utilize the Bastrop County Recycling and Transfer Center located at 601 Cool Water Dr, Bastrop, TX 78602 where tires and other waste materials are accepted.