Repeat illegal burning leads to arrest of Lenoir County man
On Thursday, July 17, 2025, deputies with the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office B Shift assisted the Lenoir County Fire Marshal in the arrest of 40-year-old Steven Glenn Pollard of Lenoir County.
The arrest is the result of a long-running investigation into illegal burning on Sutton Loop Road. Since October 2024, the Lenoir County Fire Marshal’s Office—along with multiple responses from North Lenoir Fire & Rescue—has addressed repeated illegal burn complaints at the location. These incidents resulted in seven separate citations issued to Pollard for unlawful burning.
Earlier in the day on July 17, Sheriff Jackie Rogers, members of the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, the Lenoir County Fire Marshal’s Office, Lenoir County Emergency Service, North Lenoir Fire Department, and Danny Smith Jr., owner of Integrated Container Corporation and Danny Smith Landscaping and Drainage, responded to the property to assist the landowner. Utilizing heavy equipment, the group worked together to remove large piles of burnt trash that were creating a significant environmental hazard. At that time, Pollard was issued a direct warning not to conduct any further burning on the property.
Approximately an hour after law enforcement and emergency officials cleared the scene, Pollard resumed burning. Deputies and the Fire Marshal returned and arrested him, charging Pollard with misdemeanor injury to real property.
“We’re committed to helping our residents when they need it—not just by enforcing the law, but by stepping in and lending a hand when it matters,” said Sheriff Jackie Rogers. “Efforts like this cleanup are about more than just solving a problem; they’re about bettering our entire community. We have to take pride in all areas of our community, not just some—because every neighborhood matters.”
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere thanks to all who assisted in this effort, including members of LCSO, the Lenoir County Fire Marshal’s Office, North Lenoir Fire Department, Lenoir County Emergency Services, and Danny Smith Jr.’s teams from Integrated Container Corporation and Danny Smith Landscaping and Drainage. Their support helped eliminate an ongoing safety and environmental concern for nearby residents.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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