why did dave sparks go to jail

Dave Sparks, also known as "Heavy D" from the Discovery Channel show "Diesel Brothers," went to jail because he was found in contempt of court for repeatedly violating court orders related to a Clean Air Act lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment in 2017, accused him and others of tampering with diesel truck emissions systems and selling vehicles that emitted pollutants far above legal limits. Sparks was ordered to pay nearly $850,000 in fines and fees but failed to comply with these orders and subsequent enforcement orders, including restrictions on his activities such as selling property. His failure to pay the fees and comply with court orders led a federal judge in Utah to issue a bench warrant and have him arrested for contempt of court. He was booked in a Salt Lake City jail but was later released following an agreement to provide certain information to the plaintiffs. The arrest was civil in nature, related to the ongoing environmental lawsuit, and not for criminal activity.