45-year-old man arrested for illegal dumping in El Paso

Deputies found Chesman Morales actively dumping trash on a dirt roadway in a desert area of El Paso County.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 6:20pm

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Deputies with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office were investigating illegal dumping in a desert area of El Paso County on Thursday when they arrested a 45-year-old man, Chesman Morales, after finding him actively dumping trash on a dirt roadway. Morales was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility on a charge of illegal dumping, with his bond set at $1,000.

Why it matters

Illegal dumping is a persistent problem in El Paso County that damages the environment, creates health hazards, and impacts the quality of life in local neighborhoods. The sheriff's office has stated they have zero tolerance for such activities and will continue to take enforcement action against offenders.

The details

Deputies were investigating the intersection of Amherst Street and Horizon Boulevard when they received information about a man dumping trash nearby. They located Chesman Morales and arrested him for the illegal dumping offense.

  • On Thursday, deputies were investigating illegal dumping in a desert area of El Paso County.

The players

Chesman Morales

A 45-year-old man who was arrested for illegally dumping trash on a dirt roadway in a desert area of El Paso County.

El Paso County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that investigated the illegal dumping incident and arrested Chesman Morales.

Sheriff Oscar Ugarte

The sheriff of El Paso County who stated the department has zero tolerance for illegal dumping, which damages the environment, creates health hazards, and impacts the quality of life in local neighborhoods.

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What they’re saying

“El Paso County has zero tolerance for illegal dumping. It damages our environment, creates health hazards, and impacts the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Our deputies will continue to proactively patrol and take enforcement action against those who choose to dump illegally.”

— Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, Sheriff of El Paso County

What’s next

Chesman Morales will face a judge to determine if he will be allowed out on bail pending further legal proceedings.

The takeaway

This arrest highlights El Paso County's ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal dumping, which remains a persistent problem impacting the local environment and community. The sheriff's office has vowed to continue proactive patrols and enforcement to deter such activities and protect the county's neighborhoods.