New Oxford trucking company pleads to Clean Air Act violation - disabled emissions monitor

A New Oxford trucking company pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act in a federal criminal case, court records show.

Frock Brothers Trucking, Inc., based in Oxford Township, Adams County, entered a plea deal in a criminal case brought by the United States Environmental Protection Agency against the company, court records filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania show.

The company pleaded guilty to one felony count of violating the Clean Air Act, with prosecutors recommending the company pay an $80,000 fine and be placed on two years of probation.

The charge came with a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to five months of probation, according to court documents.

Prosecutors alleged that the company had conspired with a mechanic, based in Lititz, Pa., to remove emissions monitors from diesel trucks operated by the company, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint alleged that between Nov. 13 and Dec. 28 of 2018, the company contracted Leon Martin, who operated as a mechanic out of his home in Lititz, to disable or remove emission control components that were required under the Clean Air Act.

In the case, prosecutors listed eight 2014 Kenworth trucks owned by the company that had their emissions systems disabled or removed by Martin.

Martin pleaded guilty to one count of felony violation of the Clean Air Act and a second count of felony conspiracy, according to court records.

The devices, which included the Onboard Diagnostic Systems that monitor the vehicle's emission control systems, are mandated by the Clean Air Act to cut down on and monitor the emissions released by vehicles so that they can meet government emissions standards.

According to court documents, prosecutors state that removal of these systems and devices can result in more than 40 times more pollution.

An initial arraignment and plea hearing in the case will be held on Oct. 2, 2024, at the William J. Nealon Federal Building in Scranton, Pa., according to court records.

Harrison Jones is the Hanover reporter for the Evening Sun. Reach him at hjones@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: New Oxford trucking company pleads to Clean Air Act violation - disabled emissions monitor