May 3, 2011 - ***PLEASE NOTE TIME OF AVAILABILITY****

After a lengthy investigation, officers in the Houston Police Department's Environmental Investigations Unit have arrested a suspect believed responsible for illegally dumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of hazardous waste into storm drains in the Houston and Harris County areas, causing more than $500,000 in damages.

The suspect, Lonnie Earl Perkins (b/m, DOB: 3-28-57), is charged with three counts of hazardous waste and one count of water pollution in the 179th State District Court.  A photo of Perkins is attached to this news release.

In January, investigators obtained information from a witness that a detention pond in the 15000 block of Sommermeyer had been contaminated.  An ensuing investigation determined thousands of gallons of hazardous waste was being transported and disposed of in the Houston, Harris County and Hockley areas.

Further investigation identified a possible suspect vehicle and company, New Energy Fuels, located in the Hockley area.  Last Saturday (April 30), surveillance conducted by the HPD Environmental Investigations Unit and Harris County Precinct One Constable's Office witnessed Perkins, an employee of New Energy Fuels, in a tanker truck illegally dumping hazardous waste into a City of Houston storm drain at 8500 Golden Spike.  HPD Environmental Unit investigators were then called to the scene and Perkins was taken into custody without incident.

At 1 p.m. TODAY (Tuesday, May 3), an investigator will be available to discuss details in this case in the first floor media briefing room at HPD Headquarters, 1200 Travis. 

Lonnie Earl Perkins



VHS/JFC  5-3-11
Inc. #040485811