Ex-truck driver gets prison for dumping sewage in Phoenix

PHOENIX (AP) - A former truck driver for a Phoenix company who was indicted for dumping thousands of gallons of sewage into a school's storm drainage system has been sentenced to nine months in prison.

The Arizona Attorney General's Office says Michael Wayne Higgins pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful discharge last month and will pay nearly $4,000 in cleanup costs.

Higgins faced up a prison term of up to 2½ years.

Authorities say Higgins was working as a tanker truck driver for Emergency Pumping & Plumbing in August 2016 when he dumped the sewage at the Austin School for Exceptional Children Phoenix West Campus.

They say the storm drainage system flowed from the school's parking lot into a grassy area that was used as a playground.