Knott sentenced to three years on littering charges

A man who officials say has been in and out of the Franklin County court system has been sentenced to serve three consecutive one-year sentences for littering.

The Franklin County District Attorney’s office said Eugene Christopher Knott, 38, of 1090 Florida Street, Hackleburg, pleaded guilty to three counts of illegal disposal of scrap tires/dumping.

Courthouse officials said Knott was originally charged with five counts of illegal accumulation of scrap tires, illegal transportation of scrap tires, processing scrap tires and criminal littering under the Alabama Scrap Tire Environmental Quality Act.

Officials said Knott was sentenced to one year in prison on three counts of attempting to commit illegal accumulation of scrap tires in March 2009.

Knott’s sentence was suspended with two years probation based on the following conditions: serving four weekends in the Franklin County Detention Center, cleaning up the effected areas under the supervision of the Franklin County Solid Waste Department, paying court costs and disclosing information on those who gave him the tires.

After 14 months, officials with the solid waste department determined there were still tires located in numerous dumpsites.

Courthouse officials said after a revocation hearing, Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Terry Dempsey imposed a three one-year sentences for each charge.