Comptroller Franchot’s FED Agents have cited a Pennsylvania man on February 6 for trying to sell untaxed motor fuel without a license and registration in Western Maryland.
“Our FED agents are on the job round-the-clock to catch tax cheats who don’t want to play by the rules like hard-working Maryland businesses and families do,” said Comptroller Peter Franchot. “I commend them for their diligence and for partnering with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division troopers from the Maryland State Police in stopping trucks carrying untaxed fuel in Maryland.”
Agents cited 42-year-old Eric Coleman Swank, of Markleysburg in Fayette County, who was driving a 2005 Peterbilt tank wagon registered to Laurel Fuel Company of Rockwood, with operating a motor vehicle on a highway in the State of Maryland with dyed fuel in the propulsion tank, engaging in motor fuel business without a license, transporting motor fuel/special fuel without registration, and unlawfully failing to have a copy of loading ticket.
Swank was also cited by the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) of the Maryland State Police for no hazmat endorsement, no apportioned registration, no shipping papers for hazmat and displaying expired Pennsylvania registration plate.
Laurel Fuel Company is not licensed to sell fuel in Maryland.
On February 6, agents and inspectors stopped Swank’s truck at Routes 40 and 219 at Keysers Ridge in Accident.
Upon inspection of the truck, agents found untaxed dyed fuel in the propulsion tank of the truck, which is a violation of state law. Swank admitted to making a delivery of fuel to a nearby location in Maryland. Agents then contacted MSP’s CVED.
Agents cited Swank, seized the delivery vehicle and the remaining fuel and took it to the secured impound long in Jessup. There were additional delivery documents that indicated Swank made multiple Maryland deliveries were also found and seized as part of the inspection.
The investigation is continuing and the value of the untaxed fuel has not been determined.