(DEEP CREEK) The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Environmental Deputy arrested a Port Charlotte man for illegally dumping 198 cubic feet of household debris on a lot beside the Florida Power & Light power line right-of-way on Jan. 20. Arrested for Felony Litter was Matthew John Wolfe, 35, 415 Spring Lake Boulevard, Port Charlotte.
On Feb. 4, the CCSO deputy was patrolling the area on an ATV and located a large pile of household debris on a vacant lot at 1283 Highlands Road by the FP&L power lines. The deputy located several letters addressed to Wolfe in the debris. A check of the Property Appraiser website showed the owner of the lot lives in Hialeah Gardens.
On Feb. 8 the deputy located Wolfe who said he cleaned out his garage and assumed the Charlotte County Dump would be closed so he took the debris and illegally disposed of it beside the FP&L power lines off Highlands Road. He said he is living in a deed restricted community and did not want to leave the debris in his driveway or by the curb, concerned he would upset the neighbors and get a complaint against him. Wolfe said he was familiar with the area where he dumped the debris and knew this was a frequent dumping location.
Wolfe was arrested and transported to the Charlotte County Jail; after booking, he was released on $2,500 bond.