Contact Us

Newsroom

All News Releases By Date

 

TEXAS COMPANY OWNER INDICTED ON CONSPIRACY AND WATER CHARGES

Release Date: 08/05/99
Contact Information:

          United States Communications, Education,
          Environmental Protection And Media Relations
          Agency (1703)
Press Advisory
        Following are some Agency developments which may interest you. If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the appropriate contact.
FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1999

TEXAS COMPANY OWNER INDICTED ON
CONSPIRACY AND WATER CHARGES


Gary Lynn Wallace of New Caney, Texas, was indicted on July 27, in U.S. District Court in Houston on charges of conspiracy and for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Wallace owned and operated E. Henderson Grease and Septic Tank Cleaning Service in New Caney. The charges allege that from 1996 until July 1, 1999, Wallace directed his employees to dump sewage and other septic waste into the San Jacinto and Trinity Rivers. The San Jacinto River flows into Lake Houston which is Houston’s major source of drinking water. Sewage contains E. coli and other bacteria and pathogens which can cause a variety of infections when ingested. If convicted, Wallace faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000 on the conspiracy charge and up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the four CWA charges. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

R-94 ###