New Orleans, Louisiana – A quartet of schemers faces justice as United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the sentencing of DAVID BROWN (51), GILDA HENDERSON (70), LATRELL JOHNSON (30), and STACIE WHEATEN (51) for their role in a fraudulent car accident conspiracy.
According to court documents, Wheaten introduced ‘slammer’ Damian Labeaud to attorney Patrick Keating, who agreed to pay for staged collisions. Wheaten then recruited passengers, including Brown, Henderson, and Johnson, who participated in the staged accidents on May 17 and June 5, 2017.
Brown, Henderson, and Johnson served as passengers in a collision on May 11, 2017, conspiring with Labeaud. After the intentional crash, they filed false police reports, lied during depositions, and/or filed fraudulent lawsuits claiming the tractor-trailers were at fault, leading to over $140,000 in settlement funds.
WHEATEN was sentenced to 18 months in prison, two years of supervised release, $54,000 restitution, and a $100 special assessment fee. BROWN, HENDERSON, and JOHNSON received three years of probation each, along with orders to pay $200,963.59 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Metropolitan Crime Commission assisted in this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Carboni, Brian M. Klebba, Edward J. Rivera, and Brandon S. Long.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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