David "Heavy D" Sparks, well known from the Discovery Channel’s Diesel Brothers, was taken into custody in Salt Lake City after a judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest due to unpaid fees linked to a long-running environmental lawsuit. The 2017 case, filed by Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, accused Sparks and others of violating the Clean Air Act by selling diesel parts that bypass emissions controls, leading to illegal pollution.
The federal judge ordered Sparks and co-defendants to pay nearly $844,000 in fines and legal fees back in 2021, but Sparks had not complied. This contempt of court ruling led to his arrest and booking at Salt Lake City Jail. Though no new criminal charges were filed, the case underscores tensions between authorities and members of the diesel truck community known for modifying vehicles to emit dark exhaust smoke, a practice called rolling coal that worsens air quality.
Despite the legal troubles, Sparks has maintained a strong online presence with millions of followers on YouTube and Instagram. His arrest sheds light on the ongoing conflict between diesel enthusiasts and environmental regulators trying to enforce cleaner air standards.