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Colorado Truck Shop Fined, Owner Sentenced for Diesel Modifications

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Elite Diesel Service Inc., a former truck repair shop in Windsor, Colorado, has been penalized and its owner sentenced to prison for disabling emissions control equipment on heavy-duty trucks.

Federal prosecutors accused the shop of conspiring with other garages across the country to manipulate truck diagnostics, contributing to significant environmental damage.

The fines and prison sentence aim to curb such illegal practices and protect air quality.

Federal Penalties and Owner’s Sentence

Elite Diesel Service Inc. faced a $37,500 fine and was ordered to pay an additional $12,500 to repair emissions control systems on vehicles owned by low-income drivers.

Owner Troy Lake Sr. was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison, which includes 15 days before he must report to begin serving his time.

The shop was also placed on a five-year probation period.

Federal prosecutors charged Lake and his business with conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act, accusing him of instructing employees to disable emissions systems on trucks.

The illegal alterations added thousands of tons of harmful pollutants to the air, posing a risk to public health.

Financial Penalties for Other Shops

Several other shops across the country received financial penalties for similar violations.

Endrizzi Diesel LLC in Missouri was fined $220,000, part of which will help replace old school buses with cleaner alternatives.

Perkins Diesel LLC in Missouri was penalized $95,500, also aimed at funding school bus replacements.

Pro Diesel Inc. in Iowa must pay $155,000, with funds going towards developing curricula to train diesel mechanics on servicing emissions controls.

McDermid Sales & Service Inc. in Wisconsin was ordered to pay $112,500, with a portion supporting newer school buses for the local district.

Hammes Repair Inc. in Kansas received a $117,500 fine, part of which will be used to purchase electric groundskeeping equipment.

Crossroads Repair Inc. in North Dakota was assessed a $97,500 penalty, part of which will help replace an old firefighting truck.

ATP Oilfield Services LLC in Fort Lupton was fined $107,500, with part of the penalty funding emissions repairs for low-income drivers.

Beatty Bodyworks Inc. in Oklahoma City was fined $15,000 due to financial constraints.