Authorities: Texas man tried to sell mercury before spills

HOUSTON — A 19-year-old man accused of spilling mercury at several Houston locations stole the liquid metal from an abandoned business, tried to sell it in small amounts to people for $20 and spilled some as he played with it in his hands, according to court records.

Christopher Lee Melder remained jailed Tuesday on bonds totaling $5,000. He is charged with burglary of a building and the illegal disposal of hazardous waste. The mercury spill led to about 60 people needing to be decontaminated as a precaution because there had been trace amounts of mercury near their feet.

Christina Garza, a spokeswoman for the FBI’s Houston office, said it appears the mercury spill was not intentional.

“Preliminarily, there was no nefarious intent behind it,” Garza said.

Court records don’t list an attorney for Melder, who is scheduled to appear in court today.

Authorities allege Melder kicked down the door of Geochem Laboratories Inc. on Houston’s west side on Friday and stole about 11 pounds (5 kilograms) of liquid mercury. He’s also accused of taking personal and company checks from the business.

He then went to a Walmart and Shell gas station about half a mile from the abandoned business and started approaching people.

Melder “was selling the mercury in small amounts for $20 each and was able to make two sales to two different citizens,” according to court documents. Garza said the FBI is still looking for the buyers.

Melder “played with the mercury with his hands during his sales and allowed the mercury to spill onto the pavement but made no attempt for cleanup,” the court documents said. It is unclear if Melder knew he was handling mercury or understood how toxic it is.

Officials believe the spilled mercury was spread by people who unknowingly stepped on it and tracked it across the parking lots outside the Walmart, the gas station and a nearby Sonic Drive-In.