Davis Owens, from Hamilton County, Ohio, has been sentenced to jail for his involvement in disabling emissions management methods on diesel vans in violation of the Clear Air Act.
Owens, 34, from Cleves, Ohio, will serve 30 days in jail, adopted by seven months of house confinement and one 12 months of supervised launch.
Owens, the co-owner of Holderdown Efficiency and proprietor of Cincy Diesel Efficiency, pleaded responsible to aiding and abetting the tampering of a monitoring system required beneath the Clear Air Act. The sentencing follows his involvement in an aftermarket scheme to disable emissions management methods on heavy-duty diesel vans, which considerably will increase the discharge of dangerous pollution into the surroundings.
In 2020, Owens entered a Consent Settlement and Ultimate Order (CAFO) with the Environmental Safety Company (EPA). This settlement addressed allegations that he and Holderdown Efficiency knowingly bypassed or “defeated” emissions management parts on diesel truck engines. Bypassing these controls can drastically improve the emission of pollution, together with particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and non-methane hydrocarbons.
Regardless of agreeing to the CAFO phrases, which included a $7,500 civil penalty and a dedication to stop manufacturing, promoting, or putting in defeat units, Owens continued these unlawful actions. Investigations revealed that he and Cincy Diesel Efficiency continued in promoting and putting in defeat units and emissions-deleting software program till February 2022.
Assistant Legal professional Normal Todd Kim of the Justice Division’s Surroundings and Pure Assets Division, alongside U.S. Legal professional Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio, introduced Owens’ sentencing. The EPA’s Legal Investigation Division and the Ohio Legal professional Normal’s Bureau of Legal Investigations performed essential roles in investigating the case. Senior Trial Legal professional Adam Cullman of the Surroundings and Pure Assets Division’s Environmental Crimes Part prosecuted the case.
