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GUILTY PLEAS MADE IN FLORIDA ILLEGAL IMPORT CASE
Release Date: 01/18/2002
Contact Information:
FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2002
GUILTY PLEAS MADE IN FLORIDA ILLEGAL IMPORT CASE
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov
Thomas Kahnt, Nicole G. Schmitt and Container Services International pleaded guilty to conspiracy to illegally import into Florida approximately 45 foreign vehicles which failed to meet Clean Air Act (CAA) and Department of Transportation standards. Federal law allows for the import of non-standard vehicles for one year if they are used only for personal use by visiting foreign nationals. The vehicles must be exported after the grace period has expired. The defendants claimed that the imported vehicles were for temporary personal use, but then obtained domestic titles and sold the vehicles which did not meet CAA standards. Kahnt and Schmitt face maximum sentences of five years imprisonment and $250,00 in fines. The company faces a maximum fine of $500,000. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Miami-Dade Police Department. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami.Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov
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