DOJ Makes First Arrest In BP Oil Spill Disaster

Utica, NY (WIBX) - A former BP employee has been arrested and charged in connected to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico two years ago. The Department of Justice arrested Kurt Mix for intentionally destroying evidence. The former British Petroleum engineer is accused of deleting more than 300 text messages with a company supervisor. DOJ officials say they were able to recover some of the messages thanks to data specialists.

In a released statement, Attorney General, Eric Holder said, "The Deepwater Horizon Task Force is continuing its investigation into the explosion and will hold accountable those who violated the law in connection with the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history."  Mix could be sentenced to 20 years in prison, and pay up to $250,000.00 for each count he's charged with.