NEW ORLEANS – In a shocking revelation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has unsealed a Five Count Indictment charging Ryan J. Harris, 35, of New Orleans, and Jovanna R. Gardner, 39, of Chalmette, with conspiracy to commit murder of a federal witness in connection with the staging of automobile collisions in the New Orleans area.
According to the Indictment, Harris, a self-proclaimed ‘slammer,’ intentionally caused staged automobile collisions with other vehicles in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Harris, who was part of a larger scheme, would drive his vehicle into commercial trucks, causing damage, and then flee the scene. A passenger, often Gardner, would falsely claim to have been driving at the time of the collision, allowing them to file fraudulent insurance claims and lawsuits.
The scheme, which involved multiple individuals, also included ‘spotters’ who would pretend to be eyewitnesses and flag down the commercial vehicles, alleging they were at fault. Attorneys and others associated with the attorneys would then pursue the fraudulent claims and lawsuits, further perpetuating the scheme.
Harris and Gardner are charged in all five counts of the Indictment. Count One charges conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, while Count Two charges conspiracy to commit witness tampering through murder. Count Three charges witness tampering through murder, and Counts Four and Five charge retaliation against a witness through murder.
The Indictment alleges that between approximately March 4, 2015, and the date of the Indictment, Harris, Gardner, and others caused multiple staged collisions, resulting in the use of the mail and interstate wires for fraudulent purposes. The scheme involved the use of attorneys who were part of the conspiracy, causing multiple individuals to suffer financial losses.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Harris and Gardner are currently being held without bond pending their trial. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As the investigation continues, Grimy Times will provide updates on this developing story. The unsealed indictment serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of the crimes committed by Harris and Gardner, and the devastating consequences they had on innocent victims.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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