Oil from an east Houston business allegedly spilled into Buffalo Bayou. The man who runs the site now faces a felony water-pollution charge as concerns grow over industrial runoff in the area.
Arrest and charge details
According to CW39, court records show 30-year-old Juan Louis Reyes has been charged with water pollution in connection with the incident. Investigators say the case focuses on used oil that left his property, then traveled off-site and ultimately reached Buffalo Bayou.
What investigators say
Court documents reviewed by ABC13 state that Reyes runs Elite Oil Services on Munn Street in east Houston and that detectives executed a search warrant there in August 2024. Investigators say oil contaminated soil in a ditch outside the business, then entered the city’s stormwater system before flowing into the bayou. Local coverage also notes that other nearby companies have recently been the focus of similar felony water-pollution investigations.
Legal exposure and next steps
Law enforcement officials told CW39 that the water-pollution charge could bring possible jail time and fines if Reyes is convicted. At the time the case first became public, prosecutors and the Harris County court clerk had not yet released details on his arraignment.
Why the bayou matters
Buffalo Bayou serves as a major ecological and recreational corridor cutting through Houston, a stretch that has needed significant cleanups after past contamination events, according to the Houston Chronicle. Coverage from Click2Houston has highlighted volunteer groups and city crews working to clear trash and pollution along its banks, a reminder of how quickly contaminants can spread and how costly cleanup efforts can become.
What to expect
The Houston Police Department’s environmental investigations unit is keeping the case open, and investigators have not yet shared details about any civil cleanup requirements, ABC13 reports. Reyes and representatives of his business did not immediately respond to requests for comment as the criminal case moves forward.
