New Orleans – Five individuals are facing federal charges for a brazen scheme to intentionally cause automobile accidents, specifically targeting tractor-trailers. Antoine Clark, Dimitri Frazier, Shirley Harris, Adonte Turner, and Tiffany Turner are accused of staging collisions on Interstate 10, then filing false reports and launching fraudulent lawsuits to bleed trucking companies and insurers dry. The feds allege this wasn’t a matter of unfortunate coincidence, but a cold, calculated attempt to profit from deception.
According to the indictment, Clark and Harris allegedly orchestrated a crash near the Crowder Boulevard exit on I-10 back in April 2017. Several months later, in November of the same year, Frazier, A. Turner, and T. Turner are accused of pulling off a similar stunt near Paris Road. The scheme wasn’t limited to the initial impact. The indictment details a pattern of fabricated police reports, bogus legal claims, and perjured testimony during depositions – all designed to maximize payouts.
Federal prosecutors have slapped the group with a charge of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, carrying a potential five-year prison sentence. Clark and Harris face even steeper penalties, with two counts of Wire Fraud each, potentially adding another twenty years to their potential time behind bars. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; the feds are clearly signaling they intend to make an example out of these defendants.
Beyond prison time, each defendant could be saddled with up to five years of supervised release and a hefty fine of $250,000 *per count*. Add to that a mandatory $100 assessment fee per charge, and the financial repercussions could be devastating. But an indictment is just the first step. The burden of proof rests squarely on the shoulders of the prosecution, who must convince a jury of guilt beyond any reasonable doubt.
The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and aided by the Louisiana State Police and the Metropolitan Crime Commission, paints a picture of a carefully planned operation. Sources within the FBI tell Grimy Times that this type of ‘crash for cash’ scheme is more common than the public realizes, and that these arrests are part of a larger effort to dismantle these fraudulent rings. The feds are clearly cracking down on those who see highway collisions as a revenue stream.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Carboni, Brandon Long, Edward Rivera, and Brian M. Klebba, who heads the Financial Crimes Unit, are building the case. They’ll be tasked with unraveling the intricate web of lies and presenting irrefutable evidence of the defendants’ intent. The prosecution team will need to demonstrate that these weren’t accidents, but deliberate acts of fraud. Shane M. Jones, Public Information Officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Louisiana, can be reached at shane.jones@usdoj.gov for further details.
This case highlights the ongoing battle against insurance fraud, a crime that ultimately drives up costs for everyone. While the feds are focused on prosecution, experts say prevention – through increased surveillance and stricter penalties – is crucial to deterring future schemes. The streets of New Orleans may be a little safer now, but the fight against fraud is far from over.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: U.S. Department of Justice
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly.
Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
New Orleans GrimeNew Orleans GrimeNew Orleans GrimeNew Orleans Grime