JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson leaders are sending a strong message to those who choose to illegally dump in the city.

Police arrested Billy Stewart, 43, for illegally dumping chicken by-products, oil and other substances on South McRaven Road. They said he dumped the substances from the hopper of his 18-wheeler.

In June 2024, residents in the area complained to city leaders about the foul stench. City leaders reached out to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to get the area cleaned. Neighbors in the area said the area was cleaned by MDEQ after two weeks.

Councilman Brian Grizzell, Ward 4, hopes Stewart’s arrest sends a strong message that crime is not welcome in the capital city.

“This is a really quiet community. And we came out a little after June 20 where, you know, we actually experienced a lot of this waste ourselves. And so, you’re looking at bio-hazardous material down a community street. This, you know, to many people may seem like it’s a rural area, but what happened here is very criminal. And I just really hope and pray that he is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Grizzell said.

The councilman plans to contact MDEQ once more because of hazardous matter along certain parts of McRaven Road.