In The News

Suit against Texas truck stop urges owner to clean up or be closed

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan has filed a lawsuit against the owner and operator of a small Texas truck stop, urging them to clean up alleged criminal behavior at the site or face possible shutdown.

According to court documents, the lawsuit claims that Channelview Enterprises, Inc., doing business as Key Truck Stop, located on Interstate 10 in Channelview, Texas, is a public nuisance by “habitually harboring criminal activity,” which includes drug possession, aggravated assault and prostitution. The suit names Desai Pratap as the owner of the property.

The suit claims that the Harris County Sheriff’s Office has documented numerous violations at the truck stop, and alleges the operator and owner of the Key Truck Stop have done nothing to curb criminal activity. Finding safe truck parking is a struggle truck drivers must face daily while out on the road.

The suit seeks temporary and permanent injunctions to abate the nuisance. The county, representing the state of Texas, is asking that a bond amount be set between $5,000 to $10,000. If the court order is violated and criminal activity continues to occur, the lawsuit states that “Ryan shall sue on the bond” and the truck stop will be closed for one year.

Copyright © 2014 landlinemag.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from landlinemag.com