OHIO — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced an Ohio man was sentenced for dumping pollutants and hazardous substances into the Scioto River. 

According to ODNR, Mark Shepherd, 73, unlawfully dumped 7,000 gallons of a substance containing ammonia into the Scioto River in April 2021. ODNR said the substance came from Kenton's facilities. 

Soon after, an angler in Hardin County reported a fish kill from the pollutants. The ODNR Division of Wildlife found that the pollutants killed more than 43,000 fish, including smallmouth bass, flathead catfish, sunfish and minnows. ODNR said the fish were valued over $22,000. 

In May, Shepherd pled guilty to violating the Clean Water Act, and was sentenced Tuesday to 12 months' probation, 150 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine, as well as a $25 special assignment fee. 

Additionally, he was ordered to pay restitution of $22,508.60 to the Division of Wildlife.

The case was investigating by the ODNR Division of Wildlife, the Ohio Attorney General's Office Environmental Enforcement Unit, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.