Don’t do mechanical crime if you aren’t ready to do some time. A Pennsylvania man faces a $500,000 fine and charges related to his role in disabling pollution monitors in diesel trucks. He caused a massive increase in dangerous emissions. 

A Pennsylvania man got popped for disabling pollution monitors in diesel trucks 

42-year-old Leon Matin and Frock Brothers Trucking, Inc., of Adams County, Pennsylvania, have officially been charged with disabling engine control units. 

They disabled the pollution monitors in eight diesel trucks to help drivers save money on maintenance and fuel costs while improving performance. But the units monitor engine performance and reduce polluting gasses and particles from being released. 

According to Lancaster Online, Forck Brothers sent engine control units from the trucks to Martin. Then he disabled them and returned them to be reinstalled. 

Prosecutors didn’t share how the scheme was uncovered. However, disabling the trucks violated the Clean Air Act. It’s a federal law that regulates air emissions to protect public health. 

The EPA shared that diesel exhaust can lead to serious health conditions such as asthma and respiratory illness. It can also worsen heart and lung disease in children and the elderly. As it increases ground-level ozone, it can damage crops, trees, and other vegetation. 

Tampering with the required monitoring drives in heavy-duty vehicles results in a significant increase in air pollution. 

Along with a $500,000 fine, Martin faces two years on probation and three months at home under a curfew. Frock Brothers Trucking Inc. has been placed on probation for two years and was fined $80,000.