CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. – A Pennsylvania dentist was charged with dumping medical waste that sullied a New Jersey beach at the height of vacation season.
Authorities say Thomas McFarland took his motorboat to Townsend Inlet near Avalon on Aug. 22 and dumped a bag full of needles, gauze pads and other materials from his Wynnewood, Pa., medical office.
He is charged with unlawfully discharging a pollutant and unlawful disposal of regulated medical waste. Each charge carries a maximum prison term of five years.
New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram said a complaint was served on his lawyer Friday. Milgram said authorities know where McFarland is, but would not disclose his location.
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