A federal grand jury in Midland, Texas, has returned an indictment charging Aghorn Operating Inc., a Texas-based oilfield company, and its Vice President Trent Day with worker safety and environmental crimes.
The indictment alleges that Aghorn and Day knowingly violated the Clean Air Act by releasing hydrogen sulfide from an Aghorn facility, as well as obstructing an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation. Aghorn was also charged with three worker safety OSHA crimes for causing the death of an Aghorn employee.
The charges are the result of an investigation into the Oct. 26, 2019, death of Aghorn employee Jacob Dean and his wife, Natalee Dean. Both were overcome by hydrogen sulfide, a poisonous gas, at an Aghorn facility in Odessa.
The indictment stated that Aghorn was aware that its produced water contained high amounts of H2S, as well as the deadly nature of the gas. The company and Day allegedly knowingly violated their general duty to prevent the accidental release of hydrogen sulfide and also knowingly placed another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.
Aghorn and Day are also charged with violating the Safe Drinking Water Act and making false statements regarding the mechanical integrity of Aghorn injection wells in forms and pressure charts filed with the State of Texas Railroad Commission.
The case was investigated by the Environment and Natural Resources Division and the EPA’s Southwest Area Criminal Investigation Program.
If convicted, Aghorn and Day could face serious consequences, including prison time and fines. However, no sentence has been determined at this time.
Aghorn Operating Inc. and Trent Day, Vice President of Aghorn Operating Inc., are the defendants in this case. The charges include violating the Clean Air Act, obstructing an OSHA investigation, three worker safety OSHA crimes, violating the Safe Drinking Water Act, and making false statements regarding the mechanical integrity of Aghorn injection wells.
The case is ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Environmental Crimes|Worker Safety
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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