David W. Sparks, better known as “Heavy D” from the Diesel Brothers TV show, built fame turning diesel trucks into wild custom creations. But his off-screen battles with the courts have been just as intense. Here’s the bottom line: Heavy D has been arrested.

A long-running lawsuit brought by Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment accused Sparks and his companies—Diesel Power Gear, B&W Auto, and DieselSellerz.com—of selling and promoting trucks that violated the federal Clean Air Act. The group accused them of selling and promoting “defeat devices” and modified trucks that spewed illegal levels of pollution.

After years of back-and-forth, fines, and enforcement orders, a federal judge in Utah has now found Sparks in civil contempt—again. It seems the builder who made a career out of rolling coal is facing serious consequences off-screen.

A Decade-Long Fight

The case started in 2017 when the environmental group sued the Diesel Brothers for building and marketing “rolling coal” trucks that spewed excessive emissions. In 2020, the court ordered the defendants to pay $843,602 in penalties and attorney fees. But according to the judge, Sparks never paid a dime. Over time, the court issued multiple enforcement orders to collect payment and require financial disclosures—none of which Sparks followed completely.

What The Judge Found

In an October 2, 2025 ruling, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby said Sparks had “repeatedly and willfully violated” court orders. The judge cited four key failures:

1. Ignoring the fee order and refusing to pay the $843,602 judgment.
2. Not submitting required financial records or sworn accountings of his business interests.
3. Transferring vehicles, including a Tesla and a Ram, despite being told not to move assets.
4. Failing to deposit proceeds from company liquidations into a required account.

Calling Sparks’s explanations “unconvincing,” the court concluded he had willfully disobeyed multiple orders. The ruling authorized U.S. Marshals to arrest and jail him until he purged the contempt by paying the fines and complying with all conditions.

Arrest And Booking Confirmed

On October 7, 2025, Sparks was arrested in Salt Lake City under the federal warrant and booked into county jail at 7:33 AM, according to TMZ and People.com. The Drive confirmed the arrest was directly tied to the contempt order, not a criminal charge. Because the detention is civil, Sparks can secure release only by doing what the court has ordered—there’s no standard bail or bond.

As of now, no official record shows he has been released, and court dockets have not yet reflected compliance.

What Comes Next

The judge’s order allows Sparks to remain jailed until he pays the full amount and completes all required disclosures. His arrest marks a dramatic turn for the TV personality once celebrated for diesel power and creative engineering.

For now, “Heavy D” isn’t behind the wheel of a truck—he’s behind bars until the court says otherwise.

From Diesel Dreams To Legal Reality

The Diesel Brothers series made Sparks a hero among truck enthusiasts for his humor and over-the-top builds. But this case highlights the legal risks of crossing environmental laws and allegedly ignoring federal orders. The judge emphasized that Sparks controls his own fate; once he complies, he’ll be released.

Until then, Heavy D’s next project may be rebuilding more than trucks—it may be rebuilding trust with the court.