Suffolk Reporter

Carleton Pulley, a 48-year-old resident of Bay Shore, has admitted to illegally dumping hazardous waste and old tires at the former Pilgrim State Psychiatric Center. The incident occurred in April 2023, and Pulley pleaded guilty to Endangering Public Health, Safety, or the Environment in the Second Degree.

District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney stated, "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." He also emphasized their Evergreen Initiative which offers increased monetary rewards for reporting illegal dumping activities.

Court documents reveal that on April 23, 2023, a New York State Office of Mental Health Police Officer observed Pulley unloading tires from a tractor trailer at a restricted area of the former psychiatric center. Upon further inspection, it was found that Pulley had already dumped multiple tires and containers holding hazardous materials.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation along with Islip’s HAZMAT Unit responded promptly for cleanup and evidence collection. Tests confirmed pollutants such as Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, and Lead were present among the dumped materials. Cleanup costs exceeded thirty thousand dollars.

Pulley's guilty plea was entered on September 25, 2024 before Judge Steven A. Pilweski. As part of his plea deal under District Attorney Tierney's Evergreen Initiative, Pulley is required to accumulate “Green Points” through community service and financial penalties aimed at environmental restoration efforts in Suffolk County. His term of incarceration can be reduced based on these points.

Pulley's progress will be reviewed in February 2025. He is represented by attorney Peter Brill.