A Grand Junction man was arrested Tuesday and charged with criminal mischief and hazardous waste violation after police said he dumped a substance containing a toxic chemical on his neighbor’s property.

Nathan Humphrey, 65, is alleged to have dumped a substance out of several barrels that contained benzene, a chemical that is harmful to humans, on his neighbor’s property in Orchard Mesa during a dispute.

Both charges Humphrey faces are Class 4 felonies and carry penalties of between one and 12 years in prison.

According to the arrest affidavit, Humphrey had been placing his personal property on his neighbor’s property, and did not respond to requests to remove the property.

A civil case to remove the junk from the neighbor’s property was filed in 2022, which led to a permanent injuncti

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