Trump Grants Full Pardon to Wyoming Diesel Mechanic

Source: WFTR

Cheyenne, Wyoming — President Donald Trump on Friday granted a full and unconditional pardonto Troy Lake, a 65-year-old diesel mechanic from Wyoming who served seven months in federal prison for removing and modifying emissions systems on truck engines.

Lake, the owner of Elite Diesel near Cheyenne, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison and fined $52,000 after a six-year EPA investigation. He was released to home confinement in September 2025.

Lake learned of his pardon through a voicemail from U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, and the news brought him to tears.

“I don’t guess men are supposed to do that,” Lake said. “But it’s great — it’s news that reminds you there are still good things in the world.”

Senator Lummis confirmed the pardon, saying she was “delighted” but “shocked it was ever needed,” calling Lake’s prosecution excessive.

Lake’s wife, Holly, received the call while driving on Interstate 25 and had to pull over, overwhelmed with emotion.

“These are the first tears I’ve shed since it all started,” she said, recalling the ordeal that began in 2018 when EPA agents raided their shop.

The pardon restores Lake’s right to vote, hold office, and own firearms — freedoms he thought were gone forever.

“I thought I’d die a felon,” he said. “Now, I finally feel free again.”