Charlotte, NC – A former Charlotte auto shop owner has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a long-running scheme to falsify vehicle emissions tests, circumventing clean air regulations and potentially impacting public health. Mohammed Hafeez Awan, 52, was sentenced on January 22, 2014, to six months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release, including six months of home confinement, for conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act.
The case, investigated by a multi-agency task force including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NC SBI), and the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles License and Theft Bureau, revealed a sophisticated operation designed to provide fraudulent emissions certificates to vehicle owners. Awan, previously the owner of Prestige Car Care, continued the scheme even after his shop’s license was suspended in 2005 following an initial investigation into similar fraudulent practices. The initial investigation found Awan and his employees were utilizing a “clean scan” method, connecting testing equipment to a surrogate vehicle guaranteed to pass inspection.
According to court records, Awan partnered with Jassim Juburi, a former employee of Central Auto Inspection & Repair, to continue the fraudulent inspections. Undercover law enforcement agents were able to purchase a fraudulent emissions certificate from Awan for $150 without ever presenting a vehicle for inspection. Juburi, responsible for generating the false test results, had previously been sentenced to 18 months in prison for conducting over 530 illegal “clean scan” inspections. The conspiracy highlights a deliberate effort to profit from non-compliance with environmental regulations.
Statutes Violated and Penalties
Awan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(2)(A)) and one count of violating Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code, specifically 18 U.S.C. 371 (conspiracy to commit offense or defraud the United States). In addition to the prison sentence and supervised release, Awan was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine. Federal sentences, unlike many state sentences, carry no possibility of parole.
Environmental Impact
The EPA emphasizes the importance of vehicle emission inspections, particularly in metropolitan areas like Charlotte that exceed national air quality standards. The Charlotte region consistently struggles to meet the 8-hour standard for Ozone, a harmful air pollutant linked to respiratory problems and lung damage. By allowing vehicles to bypass emissions testing, Awan’s scheme contributed to increased pollution and potentially jeopardized public health.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Mohammed Hafeez Awan
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
- Crime: Conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act, Fraudulent Vehicle Emissions Inspections
- Sentence: 6 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release (6 months home confinement), 50 hours community service, $1,000 fine
- Co-conspirator: Jassim Juburi (previously sentenced to 18 months imprisonment)
- Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 371, 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(2)(A)
- Impact: Contributed to air pollution in a non-attainment area for Ozone.
Assistant United States Attorney Steven R. Kaufman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. The investigation underscores the commitment of federal and state agencies to enforce environmental laws and hold accountable those who prioritize profit over public health and environmental protection.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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