HOUSTON — A Houston-based insulation company and its branch manager face felony charges after investigators said employees illegally dumped more than 1,500 cubic feet of commercial waste along a roadway in north Houston, according to charging documents.
Prosecutors allege that Therm-All Insulation LLC and branch manager Cierra Cano knowingly participated in or allowed the unlawful disposal of commercial solid waste at an unapproved site in violation of Chapter 365 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
According to investigators with the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office Environmental Crimes Unit, the incident occurred March 19, 2026, in the 200 block of East 36th Street, a location authorities described as a known illegal dumping hotspot.
Investigators said surveillance footage showed multiple individuals unloading insulation material, pallets, packaging debris, and other waste from a truck onto the roadside. Authorities said one person used a forklift to unload materials while another acted as a lookout on an electric scooter.
Officials estimated the debris pile at about 1,512 cubic feet, a volume that meets the threshold for a state jail felony under Texas law.
Investigators said they later linked the truck and forklift used in the incident to the company after observing the same equipment at its property.
On April 1, 2026, investigators interviewed company personnel, during which Cano allegedly acknowledged that employees involved in the dumping acted on behalf of the company.
According to investigators, Cano said the company had been dealing with excess waste, limited dumpster capacity, and complaints from property management about trash accumulation. She also allegedly said she instructed employees to place the waste behind the business due to insufficient disposal space.
Authorities said evidence including surveillance footage, employee statements, and management admissions established probable cause that the company and Cano knowingly authorized or permitted the illegal dumping.
