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Another truck shop has been busted for illegal diesel defeat modifications. This time a Colorado man is in prison for installing over 344 modifications to emission control modules (ECMs). The modifications were for commercial haulers and semi-trucks. 

Colorado truck shop owner busted for 344 illegal diesel defeat mods 

The owner of Elite Diesel Service Inc. is facing a year in federal prison, a $37,500 fine, and a $12,500 payment due to making about 344 illegal diesel defeat modifications. 

Allegedly, 64-year-old Troy Lake Sr., did the work himself and allegedly forced his employees to get in on the action ofaltering emission control modules or completely removing them from the exhaust system. 

According to CBS News, the shop tuned at least 344 ECMs for commercial haulers and semi-trucks. They created a network of shops to provide the illegal modifications. 

Sometimes, out-of-state shops would remove the ECMs and ship them to Troy for tuning. The devices were manipulated so that the on-board diagnostic systems wouldn’t detect the malfunctions. 

Lake pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Violate the Clean Air Act (CAA). The Elite Diesel Inc. shop is facing a five-year probation. 

A white semi-truck on the road
Semi-truck | iStock

Also, the fines that Lake has been charged with will be used to repair emission control systems on vehicles owned by low-income drivers. These drivers can’t afford to bring their vehicles into compliance. 

Other companies involved cooperated in the federal investigations. This made Lake and the Elite Diesel shop the last entities to be sentenced in the case. Two out-of-state shops received plea agreements. 

Federal prosecutors estimate that the diesel alternations contributed to about 1,300 tons of excess nitrogen oxides, 30 tons of excess non-methane hydrocarbons, 600 tons of excess carbon monoxide, and 30 tons of excess particulate matter as the trucks traveled. 

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Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.