A Houston man has been taken into custody for threatening a state Trooper, among other charges. Kenneth Champ, 48, who owns Champ Septic Pumping, is also under investigation for dumping raw human sewage into a creek that runs near his property.
In September, state Troopers investigated a complaint by one of Champ’s neighbors that he was dumping raw sewage from his pumping trucks into a creek. Trooper, Matthew Heieren, went to Champ’s property to investigate. Champ did not allow the Trooper into his trailer. Champ then called 911 and told the operator he had a gun and was going to shoot the Trooper. Heieren left the property unharmed.
Later, Troopers and state department of Environmental Conservation staffers went to Champ’s property to collect water samples in the sewage investigation. Samples were found to contain dangerous levels of fecal coliform. On a follow up visit, officials searched outbuildings on the property and discovered a marijuana growing operation that had 1700 plants. Troopers also found firearms and more than $18,000 in cash in Champ’s trailer.
Champ was arraigned in Palmer on Thursday for assault of a police officer. Drug charges and environmental charges have not yet been filed.
APTI Reporter-Producer Ellen Lockyer started her radio career in the late 1980s, after a stint at bush Alaska weekly newspapers, the Copper Valley Views and the Cordova Times. When the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Valdez Public Radio station KCHU needed a reporter, and Ellen picked up the microphone.
Since then, she has literally traveled the length of the state, from Attu to Eagle and from Barrow to Juneau, covering Alaska stories on the ground for the AK show, Alaska News Nightly, the Alaska Morning News and for Anchorage public radio station, KSKA
elockyer (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8446 | About Ellen
