Frankie Lewis, Emissions Fraud, Missouri 2017

St. Louis, MO – Frankie Lewis, owner of Sure Start Battery & Tire Company, received a sentence of time served and 36 months probation earlier this week after pleading guilty to violating the Clean Air Act. The case, originating in 2015, revealed a multi-faceted scheme involving falsified vehicle documentation and subsequent attempts to deceive the court while out on bond.

Between January and December 2011, Lewis operated a fraudulent operation at Sure Start Battery & Tire, providing customers with falsified documents in exchange for cash. These included fabricated safety and auto emissions test results, bogus vehicle insurance papers, and fraudulent personal property tax receipts. The scheme allowed vehicle owners to bypass legitimate registration requirements, effectively skirting legal obligations and potentially placing unsafe vehicles on Missouri roadways.

The initial indictment came on December 10, 2015. However, the case took a further turn in April 2016 when Lewis, released on bond, attempted to maintain his travel privileges as an over-the-road truck driver. Court permission for this travel hinged on verified employment, submitted to the U.S. Pretrial Services Office. Lewis allegedly submitted two forged paycheck stubs, claiming employment and earnings during a period after he had been terminated from his trucking job.

Investigators quickly discovered the documents were created using online fabrication tools. One of the fraudulent paychecks indicated Lewis had earned $1,400 between March 26 and April 1, 2016 – a claim contradicted by documentation showing his termination on March 21, 2016. This deliberate deception led to the immediate revocation of Lewis’s bond, adding further charges to his growing legal troubles.

The case highlights a concerning pattern of disregard for legal processes. Not only did Lewis profit from providing fraudulent documents to the public, but he then actively attempted to mislead the court to maintain his freedom. Prosecutors argued that Lewis’s actions undermined the integrity of vehicle safety and emissions standards, and demonstrated a willingness to commit further crimes.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Frankie Lewis
Location: Missouri
Years Active: 2011-2017
Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(2)(A) – Clean Air Act
Charges: Providing false documents for vehicle registration, fraud against the court.
Sentence: Time served, 36 months probation.

The specific violation of the Clean Air Act stems from the falsification of emissions test documents, which are crucial for ensuring vehicles meet environmental standards. Tampering with these tests allows polluting vehicles to remain on the road, contributing to air quality issues. While the sentence may appear lenient to some, prosecutors emphasized that the conviction and probationary period serve as a deterrent to others considering similar fraudulent schemes.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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