SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — A federal jury has convicted a Shreveport man of several violations including the dumping of untreated wastewater directly into the Red River.
The Times reports (https://bit.ly/GPJKq8) John Tuma, 54,former president of ARKLA Disposal Services Inc. was convicted Wednesday of dumping wastewater without a permit, discharging untreated wastewater into Shreveport's sewer system and obstructing an Environmental Protection Agency inspection.
In February of 2011, Tuma, of Centerville, Texas, and 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 dumping of waste from their company Arkla Disposal Services Inc. Arkla Disposal Inc. operated as a treatment facility for wastewater related to oil and gas exploration and production.
The facility, located near the Port of Shreveport-Bossier, was purchased by CCS Midstream Services LLC in 2006 for $11 million. The former president, John Tuma, stayed on with the company to manage daily operations but ultimately was fired in November 2007. Cody Tuma was employed as a night shift manager and later as a plant operator.
Cody Tuma pleaded guilty in February of 2012 to one count of negligently discharging pollutants into the Red River without a permit.
"This case was about a defendant who had no concern about the effects of discharging untreated wastewater into the Red River or the people that his actions harmed. " said U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley.
Sentencing for Cody Tuma has been set for June 20. He faces up to one year in prison a fine of up to $100,000 or twice the amount of profit or loss caused by the illegal actions or both.
John Tuma is scheduled to be sentenced July 25. He faces five years on the conspiracy charge, three years on each of the Clean Water Act violations and five years on the obstruction of justice charge. Tuma also faces a fine up to $250,000, or twice the profit gained or lost due to the illegal actions, or both, on each charge.
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Information from: The Times, http://www.shreveporttimes.com