Houston janitor sentenced for contaminating coworkers' water bottles

A Houston janitor named Lucio Catarino Diaz has been sentenced to six years in prison. He was found guilty of urinating in water bottles at a doctor's office, leading to at least three workers contracting herpes simplex 1 and hepatitis A. Diaz, who has spent over two years in custody, will be eligible for parole after serving three years. He faced charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Court documents reveal disturbing details about the incidents that occurred in 2022. Employees began to notice something was wrong with the water they used from a communal dispenser. One worker noticed a sour taste and smell, then stopped using it. She later found her personal water bottle had a similar odor and taste. After another co-worker found urine in her bottle, the women took action. They set up a small camera to capture what was happening. The footage showed Diaz uncapping the bottle, urinating inside, and then putting it back. He repeated this act several times over a few days. During questioning, Diaz admitted to his actions and claimed he had a "sickness." Medical tests confirmed he was positive for herpes simplex 1 and hepatitis A. As a result, the victims were informed their illnesses could stem directly from his actions. Additionally, other women in the office also tested positive for these diseases. The District Attorney's Office filed charges against Diaz in October 2022, leading to his arrest. Diaz's attorney stated he was remorseful for his actions and chose to accept a plea deal to spare the victims from a trial. A court hearing is scheduled for March 25, giving victims a chance to share their experiences.