Another Individual in Louisiana Sentenced for Involvement in Conspiracy to Stage Automobile Accidents to Defraud Insurance and Trucking Companies
Another Individual in Louisiana Sentenced for Involvement in Conspiracy to Stage Automobile Accidents to Defraud Insurance and Trucking Companies
New Orleans, Louisiana– Another individual in Louisiana has been sentenced for involvement in a conspiracy to stage automobile accidents to defraud insurance and trucking companies.
On March 15, 2023, United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Troy Smith (“Smith”), age 58, of Houma, Louisiana, was sentenced on March 8, 2023, for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans,
According to court records, Smith, along with participants Damian Labeaud (“Labeaud”), Bernell Gale (“Gale”), Marvel Francois (“Francois”), and another passenger, took part in a staged accident near Louisa Street and Chickasaw Street on May 17, 2020. Labeaud fled the scene after colliding with a tractor-trailer on purpose. Francois fraudulently reported to the NOPD that she was driving and that the tractor-trailer had collided with her automobile.
Smith was sentenced to 6 months in prison, 3 years supervised release and the payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment charge by United States District Judge Lance M. Africk.
The United States Attorney’s Office would also like to thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission for their help in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Rivera, Maria Carboni, and Brandon Long, all of the Financial Crimes Unit, are prosecuting this case.
Louisiana Interstate 20 Crash Near Highway 602-2 Results in Two Fatalities
Mound, Louisiana - A fatal two-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 near Louisiana Highway 602-2 claimed the lives of two Monroe residents early Wednesday morning, July 9, 2025. Louisiana State Police Troop F responded to the scene shortly before 4:00 a.m., launching a...
Louisiana State Police Investigate Double Fatality Crash on Highway 17
Warden, Louisiana - A fatal two-vehicle crash occurred on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, shortly before 9 p.m., on Louisiana Highway 17 just north of Louisiana Highway 855, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to a third. The incident is under investigation...
Louisiana Crash on US Highway 190 Claims Life of Eunice Woman, Investigation Ongoing
Elton, Louisiana - A fatal single-vehicle crash occurred shortly before 3:00 p.m. on July 7, 2025, on U.S. Highway 190 near Bornsdall Road in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana. According to Louisiana State Police Troop D, the incident claimed the life of Chelsea...