Diesel Tuner Faces Year in Prison for Defying EPA

[terb]

the EPA has proven yet again that there will be consequences for those in the automotive aftermarket who are unwilling to respect the Clean Air Act. Spartan Diesel Technologies founder Matthew Sidney Geouge of Hendersonville, North Carolina, as The Drive and MarketWatch report, is now facing a year in prison for his actions in relation to selling and distributing thousands of emissions defeat devices for diesel trucks. That's on top of two fines of over a million dollars.

More precisely, Geouge has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for conspiracy to violate the CAA, according to the Department of Justice, as well as a charge of tax evasion. Spartan Diesel Technologies is a well-known diesel tuner among the Ford crowd, with the brand’s tunes for the 6.4-liter Power Stroke claimed to be among the best quarter-mile performers on the market. Those tunes were accessible through the company’s "Phalanx" tuning devices, which we’ve seen the EPA take a stronger stance on in recent years. Like many diesel performance tunes, Spartan’s setups would often dump huge amounts of black soot out of the exhaust. This trend of “rolling coal” is commonly cited by aftermarket industry leaders as one of the key instigators of the EPA’s current CAA enforcement strategy. The EPA specifically notes that Spartan Diesel Technologies has sold more than 14,000 Phalanx tuners. According to MartketWatch, Geouge managed to bring in around $10 million from selling the emissions defeat devices.

 

[Wiredawg]

I expected this to happen, which is why back in 2017, I reinstalled all emissions devices back on my former 2009 Ram 4500. I expect over time that deleted truck owners will will be targeted next. Good, bad, or indifferent, it's the law.

 

[sag2]

I'm waiting for them to subpoena customer records. Then it will get very interesting.

 

[Topzide]

I think that we "all" saw this in the cards! "Rolling Coal" is like paint a laser target on yourself! Dealers are not touching a deleted truck and state inspectors are now looking for missing components. Heard through the grapevine that they are now looking for software mods that could affect emissions! I had thought about doing a delete to my truck, that thought lasted about a tenth of a second! I wish them good luck with their trucks.

 

[amauri]

Shouldn't the EPA be going after the vehicle owners who are creating the demand for removing or bypassing emission controls?
Or is the shop who is facilitating the illegal modifications entirely to blame?

 

[lpennock]

Easier to prosecute the supplier. If you stop the supplier you stop any future deletes and get sales records you can use to go after the individuals after you have killed all the supply.

 

[Regcabguy]

the EPA has proven yet again that there will be consequences for those in the automotive aftermarket who are unwilling to respect the Clean Air Act. Spartan Diesel Technologies founder Matthew Sidney Geouge of Hendersonville, North Carolina, as The Drive and MarketWatch report, is now facing a year in prison for his actions in relation to selling and distributing thousands of emissions defeat devices for diesel trucks. That's on top of two fines of over a million dollars.

More precisely, Geouge has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for conspiracy to violate the CAA, according to the Department of Justice, as well as a charge of tax evasion. Spartan Diesel Technologies is a well-known diesel tuner among the Ford crowd, with the brand’s tunes for the 6.4-liter Power Stroke claimed to be among the best quarter-mile performers on the market. Those tunes were accessible through the company’s "Phalanx" tuning devices, which we’ve seen the EPA take a stronger stance on in recent years. Like many diesel performance tunes, Spartan’s setups would often dump huge amounts of black soot out of the exhaust. This trend of “rolling coal” is commonly cited by aftermarket industry leaders as one of the key instigators of the EPA’s current CAA enforcement strategy. The EPA specifically notes that Spartan Diesel Technologies has sold more than 14,000 Phalanx tuners. According to MartketWatch, Geouge managed to bring in around $10 million from selling the emissions defeat devices.

Where'd he stash the money?

 

[SnoKing]

They are working their way down the line. Son books were audited for a year and a half. He is the wholesale exhaust supply Business. They looked at everything he bought and who it was sold to. He says they are going to work their way down the food chain. However the SCOTUS just threw a wrench in EPA gears.

 

[Wiredawg]

My understanding is the SCOTUS limited EPA's control over powerplant emissions, but not seen any other areas affected. It makes sense to allow power plants to operate a fullest capacity and least cost until alternate RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE, PRACTICAL and EFFICIENT means can be implemented.

 

[SnoKing]

My understanding is the SCOTUS limited EPA's control over powerplant emissions, but not seen any other areas affected. It makes sense to allow power plants to operate a fullest capacity and least cost until alternate RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE, PRACTICAL and EFFICIENT means can be implemented.

Just heard on Face the Nation that SCOTUS has future docket item dealing with automobile emissions. We already know what this court will do with that.

 

[Wiredawg]

Just heard on Face the Nation that SCOTUS has future docket item healing with automobile emissions. We already know what this court will do with that.

Yep, saw it too. I'll still operate the same, but several folks I know will keep rolling coal.

 

[C M McCormick]

If it's not broke, don't fix it..

 

[SnoKing]

1.1 million dollar fine.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/ep...11-million-selling-defeat-devices-harming-air

Send me a private message if you want to hear the back story on this.

 

[SnoKing]

They are working their way down the line. Son books were audited for a year and a half. He is the wholesale exhaust supply Business. They looked at everything he bought and who it was sold to. He says they are going to work their way down the food chain. However the SCOTUS just threw a wrench in EPA gears.

Son clarified that they did not supply buyer's info, as the law does not require that.

 

[RamVenture]

Emissions equipment is a third rail topic when it comes to diesel trucks. Like it or not emissions equipment is here to stay. I wish some of the conversation would switch a little more to how best to maintain emissions equipment. I have been running Max Mileage fuel born catalyst in my truck for about a year now. My new to me truck (2012 2500) purchased in 2020 was my first venture into diesel trucks. Before the purchase, I thought the only difference was the fuel that goes into the tank. After replacing the DPF filter and EGR valve I learned about max mileage from a DPF Alternative dealer in Phoenix AZ. From the testimonials on big rig trucks, I do believe the product works. I haven't been able to notice a big difference using the product, but I also don't have much history not using the product and I don't put many miles on the truck. If it keeps the emissions equipment in working order for a long time, then I think it's worth the investment. I would be interested hearing from other Ram users who use the product.
Pittsburgh Power's Max Mileage Fuel Borne Catalyst with an interview with creator Jane Gates, Part 1 - YouTube

 

[NIsaacs]

Interesting video, but at $220 a gallon? I have never been a fan of any additives nor is Cummins, however, I am a fan of Pittsburg Power, or was, back in the day.

In the late 80's early 90's they were the go to shop for O/O, wanting big power and still are. Their engine of choice was the Big Cam III, 855 Cummins. As much as 800 hp with one turbo or 1200 with two turbo's. They claimed coast to coast, without a down shift, with the 1200. Must have used I-10 No clue what kind of power they make today.

 

[p-Bar]

I think the key is don't use your truck to cruise around town or a grocery getter. Open road and pulling only

 

[Regcabguy]

I think the key is don't use your truck to cruise around town or a grocery getter. Open road and pulling only

Yep. Get an old Corolla.

 

[slowmover]

I think the key is don't use your truck to cruise around town or a grocery getter. Open road and pulling only

The only difference is time spent at steady-state rpm highway versus city to understand that.

Have to cut the percentage loss. Cold start, idling, poor usage all contribute. Have to have a plan.

If it’s fact that one’s truck gets 18-MPG Solo in highway driving, then in-town MPG should be 15. (20%). Can be done and safety not affected.

The driver is the problem. Using more fuel than required is the key insight. Efforts to raise both numbers will pay.

The game is the Annual Average MPG.
Average MPH is how to chart progress.

HPCR trucks are consistent as a group if the driver is sufficiently motivated:

 

[bcbender]

Well that seems to make perfect sense.... I am about 18 unloaded and probably about 14 with that combination (providing you interpolate that chart out to the right a little farther)