In another, “government oversight investigation”, a Howard City, Michigan man admitted on Tuesday, May 2, that he and others tampered with heavy-duty diesel engines to disable emission controls. We are told that Glenn Hoezee is one of 11 men and three companies accused of violating the federal Clean Air Act by doing emissions delete to trucks.

U.S. Attorney, Mark Totten has called the investigation, “one of the largest of its kind ever charged in the United States.”

Emissions Delete Will Bring About Charges

Hoezee pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent in Grand Rapids to tampering with emissions-monitoring devices in 2017 and 2018. The judge asked Hoezee if he was pleading guilty of his own accord, and Hoezee responded: “Yeah, I feel I don’t have any option, so … I don’t have the money to fight the government.”

“It’s just hard on me,” Hoezee said. “Nobody forced me to plead guilty.”

Emissions Delete Is A Costly Decision

Hoezee faces penalties of up to two years in prison, one year on supervised release, and $250,000 in fines. He is expected to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo. As part of his agreement, he has to cooperate with prosecutors. Hoezee is currently free on bond pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Presant said in court that if the case went to trial prosecutors would use the testimony of witnesses, industry experts, those who analyzed trucks, business records, and other evidence seized during execution of search warrants.

The charges were announced late last month. The government said the defendants were involved at different levels to “emissions delete” emission controls to improve performance and fuel economy and save on costs.

The government said that Accurate Truck Service removed or altered hardware while Diesel Freak reprogrammed trucks’ engine computers. Griffin Transportation allegedly “engaged” the other two companies to “delete” trucks, the government said in court records.

Multiple Defendants

Along with Hoezee, others suspected in the alleged conspiracy are Ryan Lalone, 47, of Gaylord; Wade Lalone, 44, of Gaylord; Dustin Rhine, 32, of Indian River; James Sisson, 42, of Mt. Pleasant; Douglas Larsen, 51, of Wayland; Craig Scholten, 58, of Byron Center; Ryan Bos, 45, of Grandville; Robert Swainston, 50, of Hopkins; Randy Clelland, 33, of Grand Rapids; and Scott DeKock, 45, of Hudsonville.

The government said the defendants used code words on invoices to conceal efforts to emissions delete controls. It’s no secret that the EPA is continually conducting nationwide inspections on aftermarket devices intended to bypass emissions.

Accurate Truck Service and Griffin Transportation have agreed to pay a combined $1 million dollar fine, and Diesel Freak has agreed to pay a $750,000 fine. The penalty, however, is up to Maloney, the sentencing judge.

If it’s working properly, there is no reason to emissions delete your truck. There, I said it.

Last year, two Oakland County Michigan companies were fined $10 million for selling “diesel defeat” devices.

Griffin Transportation and Accurate Truck Service earlier released a statement that said the two affiliated companies “are committed to being responsible employers, good corporate citizens and environmental stewards.”

“We have taken this matter extremely seriously and have fully cooperated with investigating authorities,” the statement said.. “We have also taken action to ensure all our vehicles are fully compliant with state and federal regulations. We believe this plea agreement is in the best interests of our companies, so we can move forward and focus our time and attention on continuing to serve the needs of our customers and employees.”

Previously, we informed you guys about how a social media post caused one truck owner grief, and another article about a person getting nailed for selling “delete kits”. Guys, I hate to say it, but we all know that emissions equipment is here to stay, so we probably should all learn to make more power while keeping it intact. In fact, we cited several reasons you should not emissions delete your truck and you can read that article by clicking here.