DETROIT — Khalil (Charlie) Mahmoud Saad of Dearborn was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Paul Borman for violating the Clean Air Act.

In November Saad, 40, was hired to demolish a vacant commercial warehouse at 10401 Ford Road, just west of Wyoming. 

Authorities say Saad failed to properly remove all asbestos before having workers tear down the building, although a consultant he hired identified the asbestos in the structure before its demolition. 

The prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.