A Fayette County man — serving a prison sentence for murdering his girlfriend in 2021 — pleaded guilty to dumping a large amount of waste tires at Ohiopyle State Park.
Thomas L. Dean, 53, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor violations of the Solid Waste Management Act, and was sentenced to 6 to 12 months in prison. Dean is also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine to the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Abatement Fund.
The Office of Attorney General’s Environmental Crimes Section investigated and prosecuted the case, which involved Dean (and his nephew, Donald Dean) dumping tires at the park while employed at an auto tire shop.
”Our state parks are areas of peace, beauty, and leisure, and this sort of conduct violates the sanctity of those protected lands,” Attorney General Sunday said. “While we recognize the defendant is already serving many years in prison for a separate crime, we feel this conviction is important in that it sends a message that illegal dumping is a serious offense.”
The conduct dates back to 2018. The prosecution followed a third-degree murder conviction in 2024, regarding Thomas Dean killing his girlfriend in 2021.
Donald Dean is also charged, and is currently a fugitive.
The investigation began when park patrons reported to authorities suspicious behavior — that report included a vehicle license plate traced to the Deans.
