Two plead 'not guilty' after car plunges into 'human waste pit' at East Palestine Sewer Plant
Bail has been set for a couple who appeared before a judge in Columbiana County on Thursday after police say the car they were in plunged into a pit full of human waste at the East Palestine Sewer Plant.
According to the police report, 59-year-old Alfred Ferrara of Cleveland and 67-year-old Mary Schroeder of Hudson were at the Original Roadhouse on West Main Street Tuesday as ex-Donald Trump advisor Steve Bannon was recording a series titled "Abandoned."
Police say Ferrara was removed from the restaurant by a security team after a dispute with another person. The report said Ferrara claimed he was going to "get his gun and shoot up the place."
Ferrara allegedly left in a car being driven by Schroeder.
Police say Schroeder drove the car into a solids-holding tank (a ground-level containment area for human waste) at the sewer plant, causing the vehicle to end up submerged in human excrement.
Ferrara was able to get out of the car, but Schroeder was stuck inside. Officers were able to free Schroeder, who was intoxicated, from the car.
Reports say Ferrara was found hiding behind a building and resisted before eventually being arrested.
While officers were detaining Ferrara, Schroeder allegedly walked back towards the car and became physically stuck in human waste.
Police say they had to pull her out of the solid waste pit before arresting her.
After both suspects spent a couple of nights in the county jail, they were brought before a judge in municipal court Thursday morning.
Bond was set at $30,000 for Ferrara after he pleaded not guilty to inducting panic, trespassing, obstructing official business, and resisting arrest.
Schroeder, who pleaded not guilty to trespassing, had a bond set at $2,500.
Court hearings for the two are scheduled on April 6.