COLUMBIANA COUNTY, Ohio - A monthlong investigation into illegal dumping activities on private property in Columbiana County has led to over 30 individuals being issued a total of 40 court summonses according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

These individuals were cited for infractions such as littering, shooting from the roadway and driving with a suspended license.

Significant issues with illegal dumping in the county Prompted Ohio Wildlife Officers, Jesse Janosik of Columbiana County and Scott Cartwright of Carroll County investigate these violations in coordination with the landowner.

Officers later followed up with suspects and issued 28 summonses for illegal dumping, 10 for shooting from the roadway and two for driving with a suspended license.

So far, 25 individuals have pled guilty in court and five others pled not guilty and were set for pretrial hearings. 

Fines for the individuals found guilty totaled to $7,800, as well as $2,375 in court costs.