Shreveport, LA – In a shocking turn of events, a federal jury has convicted John Tuma, 54, of Centerville, Texas, of discharging untreated wastewater directly into the Red River without a permit, discharging untreated wastewater into the city of Shreveport sewer system in violation of its permit and obstructing an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspection.
Tuma, along with his son Cody Tuma, 28, of Shreveport, were both charged in a five-count indictment with violations of the Clean Water Act, conspiracy and obstruction of justice related to illegal discharges coming from the Arkla Disposal Services Inc., a facility in Shreveport.
The Arkla facility received off-site wastewater from industrial processes and from oilfield exploration and production facilities for treatment at the Arkla facility.
‘It was irresponsible, illegal and potentially harmful to the health of city residents and their environment for Mr. Tuma to conspire to dump untreated industrial wastewater into Shreveport’s sewer system,’ said Assistant Attorney General Ignacia S. Moreno of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.
John Tuma will be sentenced July 25, 2012. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy charge, three years in prison on each of the Clean Water Act violations and five years in prison on the obstruction of justice charge.
He also faces a fine of not more than $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the unlawful conduct, or both, per count. Cody Tuma pleaded guilty in February 2012 to one count of negligently discharging pollutants into the Red River without a permit. He faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison or a fine of not more than $100,000, or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the unlawful conduct, or both.
The case is being investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Mignonne Griffing and Trial Attorney Leslie E. Lehnert of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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