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HOUSTON -- A Houston nonprofit organization called David and Ivory Ministries Inc. has been charged with an enhanced felony for illegal dumping.

The organization that claims it helps troubled youth was awarded a $231,000 contract by the Texas Department of Transportation to handle picking up trash along Brazoria County highways. The contract requires the company to properly dispose of the trash.

The supposed dumping area was at the dead end of Robin Road in far south Harris County. For years, it has been an ideal spot for illegal dumpers.
So, Harris County Pct. 1 deputies stepped up their patrols of the area to catch trash scofflaws.
In January, one of the deputies noticed more than 40-cubic yards of trash dumped in a lot along Robin Road.
All of it was bagged up. Hoping to find out who was illegally dumping the trash, investigators opened up the bags.
Through that, the constable deputies were able to narrow down the trash as roadside waste from Brazoria County.
Just how did they figure it out?
Investigators said you can find names and even addresses on a lot of litter thrown out of vehicles.

“You can learn a lot,” said Constable Chief Deputy J.C. Mosier. “Garbage is a great investigative tool.”
In this case, the trash trail led to the offices of David and Ivory Ministries.
The nonprofit’s CEO declined to speak with 11 News about the trash, but on its Web site, the group claims to hire convicted felons, the homeless and people trying to get off drugs giving them a chance to get back on their feet.

If convicted, the nonprofit group could lose its contract with TxDOT and face a stiff fine.