Man arrested for dumping fuel in sewer

Deputies say a Bonita Springs man polluted a local stormwater drainage system with diesel fuel Thursday.

Nicolas Velasquez, 40, of 26291 Cape Verde Lane, was arrested after Bonita Springs code enforcement officials told deputies they saw him pour diesel fuel from a metal bowl into the storm sewer at the Shell gas station, 10460 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs.

According to Lee County sheriff's reports, code enforcement Supervisor Frank Cassidy saw Velasquez siphon what appeared to be diesel fuel from his truck into a metal bowl, then pour it into the storm drain. Cassidy said he saw Velasquez make at least two trips from his truck, dumping about three to four gallons.

The storm drain at that location feeds into the Imperial River, Cassidy said.

The bowl had a greasy film on it, and smelled like petroleum. A test of the bowl by Bonita Springs fire officials confirmed it was gasoline.

Velasquez was charged with willfully causing pollution that may injure human health or wildlife. He has since been released from the Lee County jail on $2,500 bond. The offense is a third-degree felony and carries a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine and or five years in prison.