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65-year-old Wyoming diesel mechanic Troy Lake is now serving 12 months and 1 day in federal prison for something that’s all too familiar in the trucking world — removing EPA-mandated emissions equipment, including DEF systems and DPF filters, from diesel trucks.
According to federal prosecutors, Troy modified multiple trucks over the years by deleting DEF and bypassing emissions controls, a direct violation of the Clean Air Act. They hit him with a $52,500 fine and locked him up like a felon. No violence. No theft. No harm to anyone. Just emissions deletes — something thousands of techs and truck owners have done to improve reliability, fuel mileage, and engine performance.
💥 His family says he’s not a criminal — just an old-school wrench-turner trying to keep trucks moving. Now they’re fighting for a presidential pardon, especially as the current administration is actively rolling back emissions rules and relaxing tailpipe standards. Meanwhile, Troy’s behind bars at a federal prison in Colorado, working in their diesel shop like nothing changed.
This case has truckers fired up. Many say it sets a dangerous precedent — one where mechanics are treated like criminals for doing what many consider basic shop work.
And let’s be real — emissions systems like DEF, EGR, and DPF have cost this industry billions in repairs, downtime, and lost loads.
👀 If they’re willing to put a 65-year-old mechanic in a cell over emissions deletes… what’s next?