Trial Set for Owner Charged in West Virginia Chemical Spill
A January trial is scheduled for the former owner of a chemical company who’s facing charges stemming from a spill in Huntington that displaced hundreds of people.
Former TechSol Chemical Co. owner James R. Holt pleaded not guilty this week to federal charges of violating the Clean Water Act and violating federal hazardous waste storage laws.
Holt’s trial was set for Jan. 5 before U.S. District Judge Chuck Chambers. Holt remains free on an unsecured $10,000 bond.
The Oct. 28, 2004, spill at TechSol’s facility occurred as workers tried to transfer about 22,000 gallons of coal tar light oil from a rail car to a tanker truck for Marathon Ashland.
Schools and homes were evacuated, some for up to a week.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Popular Today
- Female NFL Official Sues League Over Her Treatment And Firing
- Preliminary Approval for Bank of America’s $72.5M Settlement With Epstein Accusers
- Public Adjuster Accused of Swiping $600,000 in Hurricane Ian Insurance Payments
- Hail A Growing Loss Driver on Rising Tide of Severe Convective Storm Risk, Allianz Says
Popular This Month