A Texas businessman learns his fate after discharging pollutants into the Red River and a local sewer system.

Judge Tom Stagg sentenced John Tuma, 55, to 60 months incarceration, three years supervised release and a $100,000 fine.

Tuma of Centerville, Texas, was sentenced Wednesday after being convicted in March by a federal jury for discharging untreated wastewater directly into the river and into the City of Shreveport sewer system. 

He was 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, located at 10845 Highway 1 South in Shreveport, was a centralized wastewater treatment facility that received wastewater from industrial processes and oilfield exploration and production facilities.

Arkla contracted to treat the wastewater through a multi-step treatment process and then discharge the treated wastewater to either the City of Shreveport publicly owned treatment works or the Red River.

It was determined that Tuma's illegal actions caused the Arkla facility to illegally discharge untreated wastewater.

The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and is being
prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney C. Mignonne Griffing and Trial Attorney Leslie E. Lehnert of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice.