Memphis Diesel Shop Admits to Illegal Emissions Tampering

MEMPHIS, TN – P.T. Services, Inc., a Memphis company specializing in diesel engine repair, has admitted to deliberately breaking the law. The shop pleaded guilty today to federal charges stemming from illegal modifications and tampering with emissions control devices on diesel engines, a direct violation of the Clean Air Act.

According to court documents filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, P.T. Services, Inc. wasn’t just repairing engines; they were systematically disabling the very systems designed to protect the air we breathe. The company illegally modified and deleted emissions control monitoring devices, effectively allowing heavily polluting vehicles to operate unchecked.

Interim United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr. made the announcement, signaling a clear message that environmental crimes will be prosecuted. Under the Clean Air Act, falsifying, tampering with, or rendering inaccurate emissions control monitoring devices is a federal crime – and P.T. Services, Inc. learned that lesson the hard way.

The guilty plea was formally entered before United States Magistrate Judge Charmiane Claxton. As part of a plea agreement, P.T. Services, Inc. has agreed to pay a hefty fine of $150,000.00. While a financial penalty, it doesn’t undo the damage done to air quality and public health.

The investigation, a joint effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), dug into the shop’s practices, uncovering the systematic dismantling of emissions controls. Agents meticulously built a case demonstrating the deliberate nature of the violations.

Assistant United States Attorney Carroll L. André III is leading the prosecution for the Western District of Tennessee. This case serves as a stark warning: those who prioritize profit over environmental responsibility will face the full force of federal law. For media inquiries, contact USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or X at @WDTNNews for further updates.