A former maritime worker claims he was wrongfully terminated after more than eleven years of service because of his race, national origin, and age, according to a recently filed federal lawsuit. The complaint was submitted by Saul Sanchez in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas on March 27, 2026, naming Campbell Transportation Company, Inc. as the defendant.
According to court documents, Sanchez alleges that he was fired from his position as a Level 4 Tankerman on March 24, 2025. He asserts that the termination was motivated by discriminatory animus based on his status as a White-Hispanic individual of Mexican national origin and his age of 53. The suit claims violations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (TCHRA).
Sanchez states that he exhausted all administrative remedies before filing suit. He reports that he filed a Charge of Discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on or about June 2, 2025 (EEOC Charge No. 460-2025-06846). On January 8, 2026, Sanchez received a Notice of Right to Sue from the EEOC and subsequently filed this lawsuit within ninety days.
The complaint outlines that Sanchez had been employed by Campbell Transportation Company since October 31, 2013. During his tenure as a Level 4 Tankerman, he performed duties including vessel maintenance and hazardous material handling at a daily rate of $430 under a rotating schedule. Sanchez emphasizes that he maintained an exemplary employment record with no disciplinary actions or absences throughout his employment.
The events leading up to Sanchez’s termination reportedly began around March 15-16, 2025. While aboard a vessel, Sanchez describes being engaged in conversations initiated by colleague Fred Lockridge regarding pronunciation of names across different ethnic groups and political topics related to ethnicity. According to Sanchez’s account in the filing: “Plaintiff responded in a friendly, casual manner…including a single joking reference to a colloquial term used by friends.” He claims there was no hostility or malice involved.
Sanchez alleges that Lockridge had previously initiated politically charged discussions referencing ethnicity and suggests these interactions were intended to provoke him into racial discussion. Despite initial indications from Relief Captain James Alvin Harris that Port Captain Randy Suttles considered the incident inconsequential and not harmful in intent, an internal investigation was launched by HR Generalist Michael Pernell following Lockridge’s apparent complaint.
Sanchez contends that this investigation lacked transparency; he states he was not provided details about which policy he allegedly violated nor given an opportunity to respond fully or review evidence against him. On March 24, 2025, while at home in Harlingen, Texas—within the Brownsville Division—he was informed by Campbell Transportation Company that his employment had been terminated for purported violations of Employee Handbook Policies related to harassment and business conduct.
The complaint challenges these grounds for dismissal as pretextual: “Immediate termination…with over eleven years of flawless service therefore deviated sharply from the Company’s own stated approach and is evidence of pretext for discrimination.” Sanchez points out what he believes are inconsistencies in how similar cases were handled involving other employees—including younger non-Hispanic workers—and alleges disparate treatment compared to African American colleagues who faced less severe consequences for policy violations.
Asserting violations under federal and state law—including Title VII (race/national origin discrimination), ADEA (age discrimination), and TCHRA—Sanchez requests several forms of relief from the court:
– A declaration that Campbell Transportation Company’s actions violated relevant anti-discrimination laws;
– Immediate reinstatement with restored benefits or front pay;
– Back pay calculated at $430 per day plus interest;
– Compensatory damages totaling $250,000 for emotional distress and reputational harm;
– Punitive damages up to $500,000;
– Attorney’s fees and costs;
– Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest;
– Any further relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The plaintiff has demanded a jury trial on all issues triable by jury. Saul Sanchez is represented by attorney Jon D. Brooks (Federal ID 24936 / State Bar No. 24004563) with offices located at Corpus Christi, Texas. The case is identified as Case No. 1:26-cv-000353.
Source: 126cv00353_Saul_Sanchez_v_Campbell_Transporation_Complaint_Southern_District_of_Texas.pdf
