OCALA, Fla. — A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with felony littering and trespassing after authorities discovered more than 14,000 pounds of trash and hazardous waste at an illegal homeless encampment in Ocala.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, 42-year-old Laura Roland Gherman had been warned to leave the private property and clean up the area, which she had reportedly been using without permission. Despite being offered assistance from county resources, Gherman allegedly ignored the orders.
On July 17, deputies revisited the encampment and found a makeshift structure surrounded by heaps of garbage, human waste, drug paraphernalia, and various debris, including shopping carts and bicycle parts.
The cleanup, led by Marion County Solid Waste, required two full days, 40 workers, and heavy machinery to remove an estimated 14,260 pounds of refuse.
Under Florida law, illegally dumping more than 500 pounds of litter constitutes a felony offense.
Gherman was arrested on July 21 and booked for felony littering and trespassing.
This is the second such case in Ocala this year. In February, 22-year-old Reynaldo Chicha was arrested and charged with felony littering after over 3,000 pounds of trash were found dumped near a roadway. Investigators traced the trash to Chicha through labeled boxes and his mother’s testimony. After initially denying the act, Chicha admitted to dumping the waste.
County officials reiterated their commitment to environmental protection and public safety. “We are fully committed to protecting public safety while also preserving the natural beauty that makes Marion County special,” said Commission Chairman Kathy Bryant.
