Diesel Brothers Star Arrested After Judge Issues Warrant for Failing to Pay Clean Air Act Lawsuit Fee By Liam Quinn

One of the stars of the Discovery Channel’s Diesel Brothers was arrested after a federal judge issued a bench warrant linked to an environmental lawsuit.

David “Heavy D” Sparks is in custody in Salt Lake City, according to county jail records, which indicate that he was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The arrest comes days after a federal judge in Utah issued a warrant ordering authorities to arrest Sparks for contempt of court in connection with a Clean Air Act lawsuit filed by Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment in 2017.

The suit accused Sparks and his company of violating the Clean Air Act by selling auto parts that can override emissions control systems on diesel vehicles, according to a civil complaint reviewed by PEOPLE. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in 2020.

A previous order to show cause signed by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Shelby states that Sparks and a co-defendant were liable for $843,602.23 in fines and fees that were ordered in 2021.

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“Mr. Sparks was not arrested for a crime,” Sparks’ attorney Cole Cannon said in a statement to PEOPLE. “In fact, no crime has been alleged or charged. The arrest stems from a civil matter regarding some zealous environmental attorneys seeking collection of attorney’s fees. Mr. Sparks looks forward to his timely release and resolution of this matter.”

Sparks has starred on Diesel Brothers since 2016. The show follows Sparks and his friend David “Diesel Dave” Kiley as they customize trucks. The pair are not actually brothers.

Sparks also has his own YouTube channel, which has over 4 million subscribers and features videos of him recovering old vehicles. He has 3.8 million Instagram followers.