GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – A scheme to disable the emissions control systems of semi-trucks has landed three companies and eleven individuals in hot water with the law. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Mark Totten, announced that Diesel Freak LLC, Accurate Truck Service, LLC, and Griffin Transportation, Inc. have been charged with violating the Clean Air Act.
The corporate defendants are Diesel Freak LLC, of Gaylord, and Accurate Truck Service, LLC, and Griffin Transportation, Inc., of Grand Rapids. The individual defendants are: Ryan Lalone, 47, of Gaylord; Wade Lalone, 44, of Gaylord; Dustin Rhine, 32, of Indian River; James Sisson, 42, of Mt. Pleasant; Douglas Larsen, 51, of Wayland; Craig Scholten, 58, of Byron Center; Ryan Bos, 45, of Grandville; Robert Swainston, 50, of Hopkins; Randy Clelland, 33, of Grand Rapids; Scott DeKock, 45, of Hudsonville; and Glenn Hoezee, 55, of Howard City.
The three companies, Ryan Lalone, Wade Lalone, Douglas Larsen, Craig Scholten, Ryan Bos, Robert Swainston, Randy Clelland, Scott DeKock, and Glenn Hoezee have all signed plea agreements indicating their intent to plead guilty to a felony information. Dustin Rhine and James Sisson were indicted by a federal grand jury. Arraignments and change of plea hearings will occur on dates to be set by the U.S. District Court.
According to public records filed in the case, Ryan Lalone owns Diesel Freak LLC and Wade Lalone, Rhine, and Sisson were employed there. Accurate Truck Service, LLC, is owned by Larsen, Scholten, and Bos, and Swainston and Clelland were employed there. Griffin Transportation, Inc., is owned by Scholten and Bos. DeKock used to own a shipping company, at which Hoezee was employed.
The scheme involved disabling the emissions control systems of semi-trucks, which can lead to drastic increases in emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and non-methane hydrocarbons. Exposure to and inhalation of these chemicals at greater levels is associated with serious health risks.
“Today’s criminal charges send a loud message of accountability to polluters who flout our environmental laws,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “These rules not only protect the planet; they also protect people – especially the most vulnerable. They safeguard the water we drink, the lakes we fish, and the air we breathe. To the owners and drivers of the vehicles that participated in this scheme and are now spewing harmful pollutants: get them fixed now.”
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Environmental Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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