Houston Janitor Sentenced for Contaminating Office Water Supply

A Houston janitor has been sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault in connection with an incident in which he was recorded urinating into a coworker’s water bottle at a medical office. Lucio Catarino Diaz, 53, was arrested in October 2022 after a hidden camera placed by a suspicious employee captured him contaminating her water supply. Medical testing subsequently confirmed that at least one employee contracted Herpes simplex virus type 1, a condition she had no prior history of, and that Diaz was a carrier of both HSV-1 and chlamydia.

Discovery of the Contamination

The incident came to light in late August 2022, when a female employee at a Houston doctor’s office noticed an unusual odor and taste from the office water cooler. She began bringing her own bottled water from home, but found the same problem persisting in her personal container. A coworker who later handed her a cup of coffee noted a yellow tint in the water bottle she had left overnight. Lab testing confirmed the liquid contained urine.

The employee installed a hidden camera near her desk and reviewed the footage after work. The recording showed Diaz urinating into her water bottle and returning it to her desk. Under police questioning, Diaz admitted to contaminating both personal water bottles and the shared office dispenser. He stated he was suffering from an unspecified illness and told investigators he knew the women would drink from the containers the following day.

Health Consequences and Testing

Following the discovery, 13 employees underwent medical testing. Results confirmed that multiple women had contracted infections they allege were caused by Diaz’s actions. The employee who initially discovered the contamination tested positive for HSV-1, with no prior history of the infection. Diaz was confirmed to be a carrier of both HSV-1 and chlamydia.

Sentencing and Plea Agreement

Diaz was charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon - with his bodily fluids classified as the weapon due to the presence of transmissible infections. In a plea agreement entered on March 18, 2025, Diaz pleaded guilty to one count; the remaining counts were dismissed. He was sentenced to six years in prison.

Civil Lawsuit

A $1 million civil lawsuit was filed against multiple companies associated with the building, alleging they failed to prevent Diaz’s conduct despite warning signs. The suit, originally filed on behalf of four women, was later amended to represent all 13 affected employees.

Attorney Kim Spurlock read a statement from one victim describing the lasting impact on her daily life and personal relationships. The 13 women involved in the lawsuit have not been publicly identified. The civil case is ongoing.

References: Texas Janitor Gets 6 Years After Peeing in Cooler, Water Bottles and Infecting Coworkers with STDs | Texas janitor sentenced for urinating in women’s water bottles, infecting one with herpes | 13 women file lawsuit against multiple companies after allegedly contracting incurable STD from water bottles infected by janitor, firm says