Trump pardons 65-Year-Old diesel mechanic convicted in EPA “Diesel Delete” case

Former President Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to Troy Lake, a 65-year-old diesel mechanic from Cheyenne, Wyoming, who was convicted for tampering with federal emissions systems. Lake, who owned Elite Diesel Service in Windsor, Colorado, pleaded guilty in 2024 to violating the Clean Air Act after performing “diesel deletes”, removing or disabling emissions controls on diesel engines. He was sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison and fined $52,500, serving seven months before being released to home confinement. Trump’s November 7, 2025 pardon followed months of appeals from Wyoming lawmakers, including Senator Cynthia Lummis, who called the case an example of “EPA overreach.”

Federal investigators said Lake was caught after the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division linked several tampered diesel trucks to his shop through emissions tests failures and tuning files. Agents later seized digital evidence showing he had reprogrammed engines to bypass pollution controls. Lake broke down in tears after learning of his pardon, calling it “an answered prayer.” Supporters say it’s a win for hardworking tradesmen burdened by excessive regulations, while critics argue it undermines environmental enforcement and could embolden others to skirt emissions laws.