Waste Dumping Draws Felony Charges

A Pennsylvania dentist, Thomas W. McFarland Jr., 59, of Wynnewood, has been charged with two third-degree felonies after illegally dumping medical waste that washed up on a New Jersey beach in late August, according to Waste News, September 8. On August 22, 2008, McFarland, who practices in Pennsylvania but owns a beach house in Middle Township, NJ, allegedly took his small motor boat to the Townsend Inlet and dumped syringes, cotton swabs, and capsules used to store filling material. A day later the debris washed onto the Avalon shore. After admitting to the crime, McFarland may now face up to 5 years in prison for each charge and as much as $125,000 in fines.