A resident of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Ryan Spencer, aged 33, faces charges for conspiracy to disrupt the lawful operations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and infringing on the Clean Air Act. The charges, filed on April 4, 2025, were announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus acknowledged that between 2013 and March 12, 2024, Spencer, serving as a Service Manager at Pro Diesel Werks, LLC, along with the company’s owner, Roy Ladell Weaver, and other co-conspirators, deliberately disabled emissions control systems on diesel vehicles. This practice, known as "deleting," counteracted equipment designed to reduce harmful emissions. Additionally, they altered the diagnostic systems to halt monitoring of these modifications, a procedure referred to as "tuning."
On February 19, 2025, a federal grand jury issued an indictment against Weaver and Pro Diesel Werks on similar charges of conspiracy and violations of the Clean Air Act.
The EPA’s Criminal Investigations Division conducted the investigation, with the case being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Williams, alongside Environmental Crimes Section Trial Attorney Ronald A. Sarachan and Senior Trial Attorney Richard J. Powers.
According to federal guidelines, if convicted, these offenses could lead to a maximum of seven years in prison, a term of supervised release, and a financial penalty. Sentences are determined by the presiding Judge, who will review relevant federal statutes and guidelines.
It is important to note that charges presented through Indictments and Criminal Informations are merely allegations. All accused individuals are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
