Conspiring to Stage Automobile Accident in Order to Defraud Insurance and Trucking Companies Lands Louisiana Man in Prison

New Orleans, Louisiana / State – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Larry Williams (“Williams”), age 49, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of a staged automobile accident with a tractor-trailer occurring in New Orleans. Thus far, the total number of defendants convicted in “Operation Sideswipe” is thirty-eight.

Williams admitted in court documents that he conspired with Damian Labeaud (“Labeaud”), Mario Solomon (“Solomon”), and Genetta Isreal (“Isreal”) to stage an accident on Chef Menteur Highway near the Danziger Bridge in New Orleans on June 12, 2017. Labeaud and Williams intended to stage an automobile accident in order to obtain money through deception. During the planning process, Labeaud informed Williams that he had an attorney who would handle everything. Williams recruited Isreal and another (now deceased) individual to participate in the fraudulent scheme. Williams then borrowed a Chevrolet Trailblazer, which Labeaud used to collide with a 2015 Peterbilt tractor-trailer.

Following the staged accident, Labeaud fled the scene, and Williams took the wheel to make it appear that he was driving the Trailblazer at the time of the accident. Following the staged accident, Solomon picked up Labeaud. Williams informed the New Orleans Police Department that he was the Trailblazer’s driver and that the tractor-trailer was to blame. Following the fabricated accident, Labeaud introduced Williams and Israel to Attorney A.

Attorney A directed doctors and healthcare providers to treat Williams and Isreal. Attorney A told Williams that if he had shoulder surgery, he would receive more money. Attorney A’s law partner, Attorney B, filed the Larry Williams lawsuit in Civil District Court (“CDC”) for the Parish of Orleans on June 12, 2018, and on September 14, 2018, Attorney B demanded $60,000.00 in settlement for the deceased passenger and $56,155.00 in settlement for Israel. Following the filing of the suit, Williams and Isreal each gave false testimony in depositions taken in connection with Attorney B’s lawsuit.

Eldon Fallon, United States District Judge, sentenced Williams to three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Williams was also ordered to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee and $28,816.64 in restitution. Restitution was imposed on the other co-conspirators jointly and severally.

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 assistance with this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni, Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Rivera, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long are prosecuting this case.