why was heavy d taken to jail

David "Heavy D" Sparks, a star of the Discovery Channel's Diesel Brothers, was taken to jail because a federal judge found him in contempt of court. He repeatedly and willfully violated court orders related to a lawsuit accusing him of breaching the Clean Air Act by selling and promoting diesel trucks with modified emissions systems that emit excessive pollution. Sparks failed to pay fines and attorney fees totaling around $844,000 and ignored multiple enforcement orders, including those requiring financial disclosures and prohibiting the transfer of assets. This contempt ruling led to an arrest warrant, and he was taken into custody in Salt Lake City jail. He can secure his release by either paying the owed amount or complying fully with the court's directives.