Two men were recently arrested in Marion County for allegedly dumping nearly 3,000 pounds of litter in the Ocala National Forest.
On Monday, June 3, at around 4 p.m., a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officer responded to the Ocala National Forest after receiving a report that litter had been dumped in the area. Upon arrival at the incident location, the officer observed a trash pile that weighed a total of 2,780 pounds, according to an FWC report.
The officer noted in the report that multiple items in the trash pile had an Ocala address listed on it. When the officer traveled to a home located at that address, contact was made with three residents who advised that they had a paid a man named Johnny Vince Reese, Jr. to dispose of the trash.
The following day, after being unable to locate Reese, the officer returned to the residence to question the three occupants. The report stated that upon arrival, a man identified as Gary Duane Cardwell approached the officer and stated that he had dumped the litter in the Ocala National Forest.
After being read his Miranda rights, Cardwell stated that he had borrowed a truck and trailer belonging to Reese in order to transport the trash from the residence. He then advised that he got lost while “trying to get to the trash facility,” and he proceeded to dump the trash in the forest.
Cardwell was detained in handcuffs. During a pat-down search, a small baggie containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with drug paraphernalia, was allegedly found in one of his pockets.
Cardwell was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $17,500 bond. He is being charged with littering exceeding 100 cubic feet or 500 pounds, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A court date for Cardwell has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, according to jail records.
On Monday, June 17, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners held a press conference to discuss the littering incident in the Ocala National Forest. At that time, Cardwell had already been arrested and the second suspect, Reese, was at large.
During the press conference, Reese’s photo was released to the public. Later that day, he was located by law enforcement, arrested, and transported to Marion County Jail. He was released from jail the same day after posting a $2,500 bond.
Reese is being charged with littering exceeding 100 cubic feet or 500 pounds. A court date for Reese has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners stated that a partnership between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marion County Litter Task Force, U.S. Forest Service, City of Ocala, and Marion County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrests of Reese and Cardwell in this case.
“Litter offenders need to be reminded that, watchful eyes of our community are everywhere,” stated Commissioner Craig Curry during Monday’s press conference. “People are tired of it. They’re sick and tired of people trashing our beautiful community.”