A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty in a large-scale case involving emissions control tampering on diesel trucks across the country.
Background: Jonathan Achtemeier, 44, admitted to manipulating the pollution control software on numerous trucks. This took place over a span of three years, from 2019 to 2022.
- Operating under names like Voided Warranty Tuning and Optimized Ag, Achtemeier worked with mechanics and trucking firms.
- He charged up to $4,500 per truck, raking in over $4.3 million in profits.
Environmental impact: The tampered trucks emitted between 30 and 1,200 times more pollution than they would have with their original software in place.
Penalties: Achtemeier faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
What’s next: Sentencing is scheduled for February 14, 2025. The case highlights ongoing challenges with emissions regulations in the trucking industry.