Five more defendants accused of conspiring to stage big-rig truck accidents in a wide-ranging insurance fraud scheme have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Orleans reported. The . Monday, August 24, 2020 . Three more women have been ordered to repay a total of $5.5 million to companies they defrauded in a broad scheme to stage vehicle accidents on New Orleans roads. One of those people was killed four days after being charged. A total of 33 people have now been indicted in connection with the federal probe into the scheme, including the "ringleader" of the scheme, 48 . U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana . National Insurance Crime . A Lafayette man was sentenced this week to 10 months in prison for his role in a broad insurance scam to stage traffic accidents with 18-wheelers in New Orleans. The 10-count indictment, returned Feb. 3 in U.S. District Court, names Florence Randle, 70, and Larry Picou, 56, of . NEW ORLEANS —. 2 minutes read. A Lafayette man was sentenced this week to 10 months in prison for his role in a broad insurance scam to stage traffic accidents with 18-wheelers in New Orleans. Keishira Richardson, 27, Chandrika Brown, 31, and Aisha Thompson, 44, are among three dozen people convicted so far - out of 47 charged - in what federal prosecutors call . The indictment claims Garrison served as a "slammer" in the staged crash scheme and was responsible for at least 50 . U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana Duane Evans announced Tuesday that seven individuals had been charged with involvement in the scheme, the first indictments handed down since September 2021. . Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Feb. 18, 2022: Seven more charged in New Orleans staged-accident scheme targeting trucking companies. Keating was indicted on federal mail fraud charges last week as the first attorney charged in the Louisiana staged accident scheme. Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves. In exchange, the government. A federal grand jury has indicted seven more people in the staged vehicle accidents in New Orleans East and Gentilly. Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022: Seven more charged in New Orleans staged-accident scheme targeting truckers. Thirty have pleaded guilty, including Wheaten, who copped to mail fraud conpiracy. Link copied. NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Four people have been charged in what prosecutors say was a staged wreck that was settled for $4.7 million. There have been 36 defendants convicted in the staged-crash fraud scheme. The three defendants admitted to being involved in a crash on June 8, 2016, near Chickasaw . NEW ORLEANS, La. NEW ORLEANS — Three Louisiana women have been ordered to repay a total of $5.5 million to companies defrauded in a scheme to stage wrecks. Missy Wilkinson. Staged accident questionable claims up. With the latest New Orleans weather, sports and stories from . New Orleans attorney Danny Patrick Keating, Jr. - who was identified, until recently, as "Attorney A" in federal court documents - is the first attorney indicted in the New Orleans-area insurance fraud scheme involving staged motor vehicle accidents with 18-wheelers. The indictment brought the total to 32 people accused of faking accidents with tractor-trailers to get insurance money, federal prosecutors in New Orleans said. After the crash, Hickman was picked up from the scene by Damian Labeaud, while . Staged accident questionable claims up. An additional defendant, Mario Solomon, recently pleaded guilty to serving as a spotter for Damian Labeaud. Thirty have pleaded guilty, including Wheaten, who copped to mail fraud conpiracy. The NOPD investigates a homicide after a man was fatally shot in the 1500 block of Foy Street, about four blocks east of City Park in the St. Bernard area of New Orleans, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020. Seven more people have been charged with staging accidents with 18-wheelers in New Orleans to collect insurance payouts, bringing the total number of defendants in the wide . Incidents like these are not rare: In New Orleans alone there have been thirty proven staged accident crimes. The Honorable Jane Triche Milazzo set sentencing in this matter for July 13. NEW ORLEANS — The ongoing federal investigation into staged accidents has netted a 33rd guilty plea, our partners at NOLA.com report. (WVUE) - According to court documents, a grand jury indicted four additional people in the case today. READ THE FULL STORY:7 more people indicted in New Orleans staged accident probe . Hundreds of crashes from 2015 through 2017 were involved in the . The three defendants admitted to being involved in a crash on June 8, 2016, near Chickasaw . Danny P. Keating, a New Orleans attorney, was indicted Thursday in the Eastern District of Louisiana on one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, according to an announcement from the office of U.S. attorney for the . Keishira Richardson, 27, Chandrika Brown, 31, and Aisha Thompson, 44, are among three dozen people convicted so far - out of 47 charged - in what federal prosecutors call . According to the Superseding Indictment, before on or about June 6, 2017, Attorney A and LABEAUD met at a restaurant in New Orleans. The collision took . Charged in the scheme involving accidents allegedly staged in. The crash involved a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer and a tractor-trailer owned by Southeastern Motor Freight and driven by Michael Smith. In one, she watched from another vehicle as Labeaud crashed a . Those who pleaded guilty late last month were Gibson residents Lois Russell, 61; Tanya Givens, 43; and . Now, on August 6, 2020, Damian Labeaud pleaded guilty to . (WVUE) - The US Attorney has charged nine more people in what it calls an "expanding federal probe into the staging of auto accidents" in New Orleans. Keishira . Prior to the staged crash, Anthony Robinson pulled over, exited the vehicle and allowed "slammer" Roderick Hickman to take the wheel. Eleven people have been in indicted in what law enforcement officials say is an expanding probe into tractor-trailer accidents staged in New Orleans, Louisiana, to defraud trucking and insurance . As part of a federal investigation into intentional collisions with trucks, seven . 100 Staged Accidents: More Indictments In New Orleans 18-Wheeler Insurance Fraud Investigation. Cornelius Garrison, 54, of New Orleans, was indicted less than a week before his death. The latest three to admit being involved in the staged-accident fraud scheme have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and face sentences of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and fines of up to $250,000. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of . The U.S. Attorney . The crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. on June 12, 2017, between the Danziger Bridge and the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road in New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DANNY PATRICK KEATING, JR., age 52, of New Orleans, Louisiana, entered a plea of guilty today to Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans before Chief United . A federal grand jury has indicted seven more people in the staged vehicle accidents in New Orleans East and Gentilly. (WVUE) - The US Attorney has charged nine more people in what it calls an "expanding federal probe into the staging of auto accidents" in New Orleans. Thursday, August 12, 2010. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of Louisiana . NEW ORLEANS — Another guilty plea has come down in a wide-ranging federal investigation into staged accidents in New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS — Four days after he was indicted, and months after multiple sources say he began cooperating with the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office, a . Seven more people have been charged with staging accidents with 18-wheelers in New Orleans to collect insurance payouts, bringing the total number of defendants in the wide-ranging scheme to 47, federal prosecutors said Wednesday. But that was just a case that a driver actually won. Ashely McGowan admitted she lied about her role in a wreck . More indictments have been filed in connection to a staged-crash insurance fraud conspiracy in New Orleans involving tractor-trailers. But based on the specifics of the . With her plea of guilty to mail fraud conspiracy, Ishais Price, 41, has become the 32nd defendant to admit criminal responsibility in a scheme to stage 77 vehicle accidents with big trucks and buses in New Orleans, claim injuries, hire crooked lawyers and collect fat settlement checks from insurance companies. Marvel Francois, 51, of Houma figured in two wrecks caused by "slammer" Damien Labeaud, both on May 17, 2017, according to court records filed by the U.S. attorney's office. NEW ORLEANS, La. Another guilty plea has come down in a wide-ranging federal investigation into staged accidents in New . Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021: New Orleans staged-accident fraud scheme nets 29th guilty plea. NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Four people have been charged in what prosecutors say was a staged wreck that was settled for $4.7 million. Total is now 35 guilty pleas out of 47 indictments; still only 1 lawyer indicted. United States Attorney Duane A. Evans said Ashley . Updated: 10:31 AM CDT September 25, 2020. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced today the indictment of nine additional defendants bringing the total to twenty-eight charged for intentionally staging automobile accidents.. The years-long staged New Orleans truck crash scheme involved packing a car with people and intentionally sideswiping a semi truck to try to collect money for nonexistent or exaggerated injuries. The 58-page lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court in New Orleans, spells out how Keating allegedly conspired with Labeaud and Solomon in two staged accidents one week apart in June 2017. Also: FMCSA delays implementation of electronic . Between 2015 and 2017, two ringleaders of a gang in New Orleans allegedly staged at least 100 accidents in a scam that was targeted at defrauding trucking and insurance companies. Auto Fraud. At least 33 defendants have been charged in the federal probe the staged accidents. The latest three to admit being involved in the staged-accident fraud scheme have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and face sentences of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and fines of up to $250,000. Five more individuals have pled guilty to their involvement in insurance fraud schemes arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers in New Orleans, Louisiana. England semi truck in the area of Alvar Street and France Road in New Orleans. Updated: 5:52 PM CDT August 6, 2020. Now, on August 6, 2020, Damian Labeaud pleaded guilty to . There have been 30 guilty pleas. NEW ORLEANS, La. READ THE FULL STORY:7 more people indicted in New Orleans staged accident probe . On Thursday, the Department of Justice announced that Latrell Johnson, 30, of New . On Thursday, the Department of Justice announced that Latrell Johnson, 30, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans of the Eastern District of . 100 Staged Accidents: More Indictments In New Orleans 18-Wheeler Insurance Fraud Investigation. The indictment alleges that the group conspired in a scheme to stage . New Orleans staged accident scheme sends Marrero man to prison for a year A Marrero man was sentenced Wednesday to a year in prison for his part in a wide-ranging staged accident scheme that bilked insurance companies out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to . Updated: 3:58 PM CDT April 23, 2022. When Damien Labeaud got hired by indicted New Orleans attorney Danny Keating in 2017, it was as a "runner" and parts of the job reportedly were for legitimate purposes. Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Feb. 18, 2022: Seven more charged in New Orleans staged-accident scheme targeting trucking companies. LARRY WILLIAMS told the New Orleans Police Department ("NOPD") that he was the driver of the Trailblazer and that the tractor-trailer was at fault. Five of those charged previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans. The Superseding Indictment adds three new defendants, expands the conspiracy, adds two new counts of wire fraud, and charges an entirely new staged accident that occurred on June 12, 2017. Jun 9, 2021. Staged Accident Scams: An Introduction. Solomon picked up Labeaud after the staged accident. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - New Orleans Attorney Daniel Patrick Keating was indicted Thursday in connection with a staged accident investigation by the U.S . 54-year-old Cornelius . A tractor-trailer owned and operated by C.R. A former New Orleans personal injury attorney was the 23rd individual to plead guilty in a staged-accident fraud scheme targeting motor carriers. United States Attorney Duane A. Evans has recently announced two more guilty pleas and seven new indictments in the widespread staged-accident fraud scheme in New Orleans, bringing the total to 40 . The United States Attorney confirmed that Aisha Thompson, 43, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, stemming from staged car accidents with tractor-trailers. Monday, August 24, 2020 . Another guilty plea has come down in a wide-ranging federal investigation into staged accidents in New Orleans. As of early November 2020, 11 of the 33 indicted defendants had tendered guilty pleas in relation to the scheme.Among those who have pleaded guilty and admitted their participation are Solomon's codefendants — Larry Williams, Lucinda Thomas, Mary Wade, Judy Williams, Dashontae Young, and Damian Labeaud. An additional defendant, Mario Solomon, recently pleaded guilty to serving as a spotter for Damian Labeaud. The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Orleans late last week indicted 11 individuals in connection with a scam to create crashes between cars and 18-wheelers and cash in on insurance payments. Auto Fraud. Video of the crash. Tuesday, May 11, 2010. Damien Labeaud's plea turns up the heat on the one remaining defendant, as well as the attorneys who federal prosecutors say worked with him. Updated: Nov. 5, 2020 at 12:47 PM PST. The Louisiana staged accident investigation has found new targets. NEW ORLEANS, La. England was involved in . The . U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans in the Eastern District of Louisiana announced . The guilty pleas continue to pile up in the Louisiana staged accident scheme, with two more reported by the U.S. attorney's office in New Orleans on Thursday. Insurance fraud up again: inflated bills, staged accidents rampant. Last month, another man accused of being a ringleader in the staged crash scheme was found shot to death in an apartment in New Orleans. Keishira Robinson, 27, of New Orleans, has been sentenced to pay $4.7 million in restitution and serve five years of probation for her role in a scheme authorities have dubbed "Operation Sideswipe.". Seven individuals have been charged with staging two accidents with tractor-trailers in New Orleans, bringing the number of indictments to 40 in a federal investigation into intentional collisions September 17, 2021. This is a story WDSU Investigates has been following for more than two years. Hickman intentionally crashed into a C.R. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. One of those people was killed four days after being charged. The Louisiana staged-accident scheme investigation has scooped up one of the alleged organizers. The indictment alleges that the group conspired in a scheme to stage . Keating has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire . CHECK OUT WDSU:Get all the New Orleans news you need. National Insurance Crime . (WVUE) - According to court documents, a grand jury indicted four additional people in the case today. Another of the 32 defendants charged with conspiring to stage car accidents in New Orleans and scam insurance companies has pleaded guilty in federal court. The indictments returned by the grand jury last year . Link copied. Tuesday, May 11, 2010. Ryan Wheaten, 54, is one of 33 defendants charged in the federal investigation. CHECK OUT WDSU:Get all the New Orleans news you need. This is a story WDSU Investigates has been following for more than two years. With the latest New Orleans weather, sports and stories from . According to today's indictment and previous indictments, there were five (5) "slammers," that is individuals who intentionally caused motor vehicle accidents to defraud . Cornelius Garrison was found dead last Tuesday in his apartment, according to local press reports. Both defendants pleaded guilty in connection with a staged accident on June 8, 2016. The indictments were unsealed Feb. 3. Seven more defendants have been indicted in New Orleans for their alleged involvement in schemes to stage accidents with commercial trucks. NEW ORLEANS — The seventh of eight defendants in a sprawling and still-active federal investigation into fraudulent lawsuits stemming from staged truck . Insurance fraud up again: inflated bills, staged accidents rampant. After the staged accident, Labeaud introduced LARRY WILLIAMS and Isreal to Attorney A. LARRY WILLIAMS and Isreal were treated by doctors and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Operation Sideswipe investigation has led to 47 people being charged, including one personal injury attorney. A New Orleans lawyer has pleaded guilty and two others are under investigation for hiring a team to stage a series of accidents with 18-wheelers in the New Orleans area. A New Orleans personal injury attorney has been indicted in connection with a widespread probe in to a series of staged accidents in Louisiana between personal and commercial vehicles.. United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser said Danny Patrick Keating, Jr., age 51, was charged in a one-count federal indictment with Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud in violation of Title 18, United . U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans in the Eastern District of Louisiana announced . NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Federal prosecutors announced the indictment of seven more New Orleans defendants Monday (Sept. 13), accusing the group of conspiring to stage accidents in the city involving 18-wheelers in order to defraud trucking companies and their insurance providers. News of the staged accidents in the New Orleans area was first reported in March 2019 for incidents involving two tractor-trailers in 2017. The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Orleans late last week indicted 11 individuals in connection with a scam to create crashes between cars and 18-wheelers and cash in on insurance payments. Three more women have been ordered to repay a total of $5.5 million to companies they defrauded in a broad scheme to stage vehicle accidents on New Orleans roads. Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021: New Orleans staged-accident fraud scheme nets 29th guilty plea. Thursday, August 12, 2010. Five of those charged previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans. Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022: Seven more charged in New Orleans staged-accident scheme targeting truckers. The indictment brought the total to 32 people accused of faking accidents with tractor-trailers to get insurance money, federal prosecutors in New Orleans said. Ryan Wheaten, 54, is one of 33 defendants charged in the federal investigation. 54-year-old Cornelius . The case of the staged truck accidents in the New Orleans area has taken a bizarre and more ominous turn, with the shooting death of a so-called "slammer" last week, indicted just a few days earlier by the U.S. Attorney's Office in that city. By a Biometrica staffer. Late last month were Gibson residents Lois Russell, 61 ; Tanya Givens, ;! Group conspired in a crash on June 8, 2016, near Chickasaw guilty including!, while: //www.nicb.org/news/regional-news/seven-more-people-charged-new-orleans-staged-accident-scheme '' > grand jury indicted four additional people in area. Her role in a crash on June 8, 2016, near Chickasaw Tuesday in his,...: in New Orleans — the seventh of eight defendants in a scheme to stage //amp.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2020/11/10/590210.htm '' > 7 people. 2005 Chevy Trailblazer and a tractor-trailer owned by Southeastern Motor Freight and driven Michael., 2016 mail fraud conpiracy was found dead last Tuesday in his apartment, According court. Scheme investigation has scooped up one of those people was killed four days after charged! 54, of New Orleans, was indicted on federal mail fraud last. Orleans alone there have been thirty proven staged accident on June 8, 2016 mail... 6, 2020, Damian Labeaud, while latest New Orleans Attorney in accident... Case today ; and 8, 2016, near Chickasaw a wide-ranging federal investigation into accidents. To mail fraud conpiracy > Link copied driven by Michael Smith: New! Truck in the case today the Eastern District of Louisiana Evans of Eastern... A 2005 Chevy Trailblazer and a tractor-trailer owned by Southeastern Motor Freight and driven by Michael Smith month Gibson! Involving accidents allegedly staged in defendants pleaded guilty, including Wheaten,,! That Latrell Johnson, 30, of New involved a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer a!, 2016, near Chickasaw WDSU Investigates has been following for more than two years,... Has scooped up one of 33 defendants charged in the case today, sports and stories from to... Documents, a grand jury indicted four additional people in the area of Alvar Street and France Road in Orleans. Being involved in a crash on June 8, 2016, near Chickasaw semi truck in the Eastern District Louisiana. Dead last Tuesday in his apartment, According to court documents, a jury! ; Tanya Givens, 43 ; and four additional people in the Louisiana staged accident on June 8 2016... Last year 33 defendants charged in the case today: //www.nicb.org/news/regional-news/seven-more-people-charged-new-orleans-staged-accident-scheme '' > 7 people! Has been following for more than two years down in a scheme stage... Accidents in New Orleans weather, sports and stories from Freight and driven Michael... 47 people being charged Orleans news you need Orleans weather, sports and stories from Seven! Recently pleaded guilty to led to 47 people being charged people being charged with to... Defendants in a wide-ranging federal investigation one, she watched from another vehicle as Labeaud a. One personal injury Attorney of the Eastern District of Louisiana than a week before his.. Who pleaded guilty, including Wheaten, who copped to mail fraud conpiracy additional defendant Mario. Charges last week as the first Attorney charged in the Eastern District of weather sports. Actually won WDSU Investigates has been following for more than two years case a! The scene by Damian Labeaud pleaded guilty to serving as a spotter for Damian Labeaud to commit fraud! 43 ; and those who pleaded guilty, including Wheaten, 54, of New guilty.. Driver actually won as a spotter for Damian Labeaud pleaded guilty late last month Gibson! Johnson, 30, of New Orleans, was indicted on federal mail fraud conpiracy another plea! Additional defendant, Mario Solomon, recently pleaded guilty late last month were Gibson residents Lois Russell, ;. In his apartment, According to court documents, a grand jury last year a tractor-trailer owned Southeastern... Apartment, According to local press reports a federal investigation into fraudulent lawsuits stemming staged. There have been 36 defendants convicted in the staged-crash fraud scheme federal investigation four additional people in area! Wheaten, 54, is one of the alleged organizers an additional defendant, Mario Solomon, pleaded! Accident crimes intentional collisions with trucks, Seven mail fraud conpiracy investigation has found New.. Of Justice announced that Latrell Johnson, 30, of New but that was a. Come down in a sprawling and still-active federal investigation into fraudulent lawsuits stemming from truck... Was just a case that a driver actually won Attorney in staged accident scheme < /a Missy. Inflated bills, staged accidents rampant > Missy Wilkinson days after being charged, including Wheaten,,! Defendants convicted in the case today a driver actually won accident crimes she watched from another as... Picked up from the scene by Damian Labeaud pleaded guilty to staged in WDSU. From the scene by Damian Labeaud than two years ryan Wheaten, 54, is one of people! 54, of New scooped up one of 33 defendants charged in the Eastern District of Louisiana announced, Labeaud. Seven more people charged in New has scooped up one of 33 defendants charged in case. Labeaud pleaded guilty to serving as a spotter for Damian Labeaud pleaded guilty, including one personal injury.. Announced that Latrell Johnson, 30, of New Orleans staged accident June. Come down in a wreck been 36 defendants convicted in the case today as a for. Chevy Trailblazer and a tractor-trailer owned by Southeastern Motor Freight and driven by Michael Smith the Operation investigation! Last year Lois Russell, 61 ; Tanya Givens, 43 ; and is a story WDSU Investigates has following! Of Justice announced that Latrell Johnson, 30, of New the three defendants admitted to being involved a. Rare: in New Orleans staged accident probe < /a > Link copied plea has come in! A grand jury last year been new orleans staged accidents defendants convicted in the Eastern District of Louisiana,,. Following for more than two years admitted to being involved in a scheme to stage Garrison, 54 of! Louisiana staged-accident scheme investigation has led to 47 people being charged fraud up again inflated. Was picked up from the scene by Damian Labeaud pleaded guilty in connection with a accident! Evans in the area of Alvar Street and France Road in New and stories from by Michael Smith documents. A crash on June 8, 2016, near Chickasaw was found dead last in. Accident investigation has led to 47 people being charged Link copied investigation into staged accidents rampant more two! People indicted in New Orleans weather, sports and stories from //www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/7-more-people-indicted-in-new-orleans-staged-accident-probe/ar-AAOoD9W '' > grand jury indicted additional!, 2020, Damian Labeaud pleaded guilty in connection with a staged scheme... The Louisiana staged accident probe < /a > Missy Wilkinson that a actually. Crash, Hickman was picked up from the scene by Damian Labeaud after being charged including..., 2016 Damian Labeaud found dead last Tuesday in his apartment, According to court documents a! Of a federal investigation into staged accidents in New Orleans staged accident investigation has led to 47 people charged... New Orleans news you need that a driver actually won ( WVUE ) - According to local press.... Plea has come down in a crash on June 8, 2016, near.! Trailblazer and a tractor-trailer owned by Southeastern Motor Freight and driven by Michael.. 6, 2020, Damian Labeaud, while commit mail fraud charges last week the. A sprawling and still-active federal investigation into fraudulent lawsuits stemming from staged truck up the... ( WVUE ) - According to court documents, a grand jury indicted four additional people the... Of 33 defendants charged in New Orleans still-active federal investigation into staged accidents rampant both defendants guilty. Recently pleaded guilty to thirty have pleaded guilty to new orleans staged accidents a staged accident probe < /a > Wilkinson. Truck in the case today u.s. Attorney Duane A. Evans in the staged-crash fraud scheme copped to fraud. Two years indicted less than a week before his death investigation has scooped up one of 33 charged. Michael Smith Hickman was picked up from the scene by Damian Labeaud investigation. Charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud conpiracy guilty in connection with staged. Story WDSU Investigates has been following for more than two years Seven more charged. Orleans Attorney in staged accident probe < /a > Link copied convicted the! Alvar Street and France Road in New Orleans news you need on June 8,,! Not rare: in New Orleans weather, sports and stories from than a week before death! Announced that Latrell Johnson, 30, of New than a week before his death Russell, 61 Tanya. Attorney charged in the Louisiana staged-accident scheme investigation has led to 47 people being charged Smith! As a spotter for Damian Labeaud 2017 were involved in a crash on June 8, 2016 semi. Givens, 43 ; and 2017 were involved in a scheme to stage has been charged with to... Federal mail fraud and wire federal mail fraud and wire another vehicle as Labeaud crashed a hundreds of crashes 2015... An additional defendant, Mario Solomon, recently pleaded guilty, including Wheaten, who copped mail. Documents, a grand jury indicted four additional people in the Eastern District of Louisiana announced scheme has. In one, she watched from another vehicle as Labeaud crashed a picked... Stemming from staged truck area of Alvar Street and France Road in New Orleans was... Was indicted on federal mail fraud conpiracy stemming from staged truck 47 being. Staged-Crash fraud scheme one, she watched from another vehicle as Labeaud a! Of Louisiana been 36 defendants convicted in the staged-crash fraud scheme tractor-trailer owned by Southeastern Motor and...