ASHLEY McGOWAN, Staged Automobile Collision Scheme, Louisiana 2022

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – In a shocking case of deception and greed, Ashley McGowan, a 35-year-old New Orleans resident, has pleaded guilty to her involvement in a staged automobile collision scheme. The defendant’s plea deal, reached on March 31, 2022, has brought the total number of defendants convicted in ‘Operation Sideswipe’ to thirty-three.

According to the evidence presented in court, McGowan was part of a conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which involved a staged automobile collision on June 8, 2016. The scheme was orchestrated by Damien Labeaud, Keishira Robinson, and others, who intentionally collided K. Robinson’s Mazda with a tractor-trailer in the area of Chickasaw Street and Louisa Street in New Orleans.

As part of her plea, McGowan admitted to falsely claiming that she was a passenger in the car that was struck by the tractor-trailer. In reality, she was riding in a separate ‘spotter’ or getaway car and entered the ‘slammer’ car only after the collision occurred.

McGowan hoped to secure lucrative monetary settlements from the owner, driver, and insurer of the tractor-trailer by lying in her civil deposition. However, her scheme was uncovered by law enforcement officials, who worked tirelessly to bring the defendants to justice.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission in this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon S. Long, Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria M. Carboni, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera.

In exchange for her guilty plea, the government has agreed to dismiss Count Two, charging Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1341 and 2. The defendant faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years’ imprisonment; a term of supervised release of up to three (3) years; a fine up to $250,000.00, or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 3571; and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for June 14, 2022, before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of insurance fraud and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat it. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates on the sentencing and any other developments.

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