A Houston-based septic pumper has pleaded guilty to dumping human waste into a stream that flowed onto his neighbors property and into the Little Susitna River.
Along with admitting to the felony environmental crime, 49-year-old Champ Septic owner Kenneth Champ also pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony theft just before his sentencing Wednesday in Palmer, prosecutors said. The hearing followed a plea agreement and sentencing in federal court earlier this month where Champ admitted to growing 1,700 marijuana plants discovered in the same incident.
Champ allegedly threatened an Alaska State Trooper investigating a neighbor's complaint in September 2011 about what she described as raw feces flowing from Champ's land to hers, according to a charging document. A group of law enforcement officials showed up in December, discovered the grow operation and arrested Champ.
A federal judge sentenced Champ to 28 months in prison for the marijuana. On Wednesday, a Superior Court judge sentenced Champ to pay a $10,000 fine and spend 305 days behind bars for the theft and pollution convictions.
Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.
By CASEY GROVE
Anchorage Daily News