Terence Wolffe, of Mastic, pleads guilty to damaging Commerdinger County Park

A Mastic man who pleaded guilty to damaging undeveloped wilderness at a Suffolk County park must help restore and improve the environment or face jail time, according to the Suffolk County district attorney.

According to court documents, Terence Wolffe, 42, used machetes, axes and shovels to clear and excavate a personal “hang out” spot in an off-trail area inside the Walter S. Commerdinger Jr. County Park in Lake Ronkonkoma over the course of several months.

On Feb. 2, Wolffe pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in the fourth degree and other charges in front of Supreme Court Judge Richard Ambro.

As part of the plea deal, he was mandated to "help contribute socially, physically, and financially" toward improving the environment by accumulating 100 “green points” via various efforts. Some of these include: participating in a reforesting initiative; beach, park and trail cleanup; taking part in an Suffolk County endangered species program; or raising money through a fundraiser targeting a Suffolk County environmental 501(c)(3), according to a news release from Suffolk district attorney's office.

This allows Wolffe to avoid jail time, though he must earn 50 points within seven months of his guilty plea, and the last 50 must be completed by six months later. As part of earning his first 50 points, he must also pay a minimum of $1,000 for direct restitution to the county Parks Department or by financing an extra park maintenance shift for municipal cleanup, according to Tania Lopez, a district attorney spokeswoman. 

Any unearned points convert to jail time.

“This is the perfect balance of what we believe is the future of combating environmental crimes. Not only will this defendant have to pay for the damage he has done, but he is also mandated to be a part of the solution or face jail time,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a statement.

In December, Tierney announced his “Evergreen Initiative,” a legislative plan to counteract destruction of Suffolk’s natural environment that includes incorporating environmental stewardship into plea agreements.

Wolffe's lawyer, Steven Politi, said it was never Wolffe's intention to destroy the park but rather to create an open space for others to enjoy. Wolffe acknowledges that he took the wrong approach by failing to obtain the proper permits to do so, Politi said.

“This is far different than purposeful destruction … his intention was to beautify the area and make it a place where people could go. He has a connection to this park, he went there with his family and his grandfather when he was younger and he has fond memories there,” Politi said. He added that Wolffe is looking forward to beginning his service. 

Wolffe was charged with chopping down native trees, removing native vegetation, and digging up ground-brush, thatch, soil, dirt and earth beginning last April. He also piled the displaced brush, soil and tree limbs on nearby parkland, smothering other plants and vegetation. Wolffe also damaged the roots of trees that he left standing, putting other hikers at risk from falling timber. He dug so deep, water from the adjacent wetland flowed into the pit.

Suffolk County Park Rangers witnessed his actions in November and he was arrested in December after an investigation was completed. He also was cited for having a machete.

As part of his sentencing, Wolffe will have to file monthly reports on his progress to the district attorney's office and submit a personal statement describing his activities, as well as future environmental goals and lessons learned. His next court date is Sept. 3.