Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #: 1900026
Date Issued: Mar 19, 2019 - 1:25pm

Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputy spots illegal dumping in progress, dumper arrested

CONTACT: Bob Harmon
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office 775-785-6235
Cell 775-722-5517

A Sun Valley man faces multiple charges after a Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputy observed him illegally dumping trash on Red Hill on Sunday.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2019, the deputy was on a call on in the area of Sidehill Drive and Fourth Avenue when he spotted two subjects throwing trash from a vehicle on the hillside above Chocolate Drive.

The deputy notified dispatch. Additional deputies responded and made contact with the vehicle on Chocolate Drive. The vehicle was occupied by an adult male driver and a juvenile female.

The driver of the vehicle was initially uncooperative and provided two false names to deputies. After further investigation, deputies were able to identify the man as Justin Allen Melena, age 30. Melena is an ex-felon who had failed to update his current address with the courts.

Deputies arrested Melena on multiple charges, including Unlawful Disposal of Garbage, Making False Statements to Obstruct a Public Officer, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Convicted Person Failing to Register His Address.

Deputies found that the female juvenile was listed as a runaway from an outside jurisdiction. She was arrested on a charge of Obstructing and Resisting.

Photo caption: A Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputy was working a call in Sun Valley Sunday when he spotted people illegally dumping trash on Red Hill. Deputies arrested 30-year-old Justin Melena on multiple charges, including Unlawful Disposal of Garbage.

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The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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