Suffolk Reporter

Carleton Pulley, a 48-year-old resident of Bay Shore, has pleaded guilty to Endangering Public Health, Safety, or the Environment in the Second Degree. This charge stems from his illegal disposal of hazardous waste and old tires at the former Pilgrim State Psychiatric Center in April 2023.

“This defendant illegally disposed of hazardous waste in order to avoid the fees that he would have been required to pay had he disposed of them properly. Thankfully, the damage to the environment was mitigated due to the immediate discovery of the waste by law enforcement and the quick remediation by the Town of Islip and the property owner,” said District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney. “I would like to remind everyone that, through our Evergreen Initiative, we have significantly increased monetary rewards for anyone who reports illegally dumping activity. I encourage anyone with information to speak up.”

Court documents reveal that on April 23, 2023, a New York State Office of Mental Health Police Officer noticed Pulley rolling a tire out of a tractor trailer at an area closed to the public within the former Pilgrim State Psychiatric Center grounds. The officer discovered multiple tires and containers holding hazardous waste.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Islip’s HAZMAT Unit responded promptly to clean up and collect evidence. Tests confirmed pollutants containing Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, and Lead. The cleanup cost exceeded thirty thousand dollars.

Pulley pleaded guilty on September 5, 2024 before Judge Steven A. Pilweski. As part of Suffolk County's Evergreen Initiative led by District Attorney Tierney, environmental offenders must contribute directly towards restoring natural areas through community service and financial penalties accumulating "Green Points." These points can reduce incarceration time based on Pulley's progress.

Pulley is scheduled for a court appearance in February 2025 for a progress review and is represented by attorney Peter Brill.