New Orleans, Louisiana – Federal prosecutors have unsealed a sweeping second superseding indictment charging nine defendants in an elaborate scheme to stage automobile collisions in New Orleans, with two defendants now facing additional charges for the murder of a federal witness.
The 13-count indictment, returned by a grand jury on April 25, 2025, significantly escalates what was already a major fraud investigation by adding homicide charges against Sean D. Alfortish, 57, and Leon M. Parker, 51, both of New Orleans, Louisiana.
According to prosecutors, Alfortish and Parker allegedly conspired to murder Cornelius Garrison, who had been cooperating with the FBI regarding his role as a “slammer” in the fraud operation. Garrison was killed on September 22, 2020, at his mother’s home in New Orleans. Earlier this year, Ryan J. Harris, a former co-defendant, pleaded guilty to causing death through the use of a firearm for his involvement in Garrison’s homicide.
The indictment describes a sophisticated criminal enterprise in which participants deliberately caused crashes with commercial vehicles, particularly 18-wheeler tractor-trailers, then filed fraudulent insurance claims and lawsuits to collect settlements.
The Anatomy of the Scheme
Prosecutors allege the operation involved multiple coordinated roles:
- “Slammers” who deliberately crashed vehicles into commercial trucks
- Passengers who falsely claimed to be driving at the time of collisions
- “Spotters” who drove getaway cars and sometimes posed as witnesses
- Attorneys and law firms who allegedly pursued fraudulent claims knowing they were based on staged collisions
The indictment names several attorneys and law firms as defendants, including Vanessa Motta, 43, and her firm Motta Law, LLC; Jason F. Giles, 46, and The King Firm, LLC. Also charged are Diaminike F. Stalbert, 34, of Metairie; Carl Morgan, 66, of New Orleans; and Timara N. Lawrence, 34, of New Orleans.
According to the charging document, after staged collisions, the drivers who intentionally caused them would flee the scene, leaving passengers to falsely claim they had been driving. “Spotters” sometimes pretended to be eyewitnesses, approaching the commercial vehicles and claiming they were at fault.
Serious Penalties for any Suspects Convicted
The charges carry substantial potential penalties:
- For mail and wire fraud conspiracy: up to 20 years imprisonment
- For obstruction of justice: up to 10 years imprisonment
- For witness tampering: up to 20 years imprisonment
- For the murder-related charges against Alfortish and Parker: potential life sentences
The case represents a significant expansion of an ongoing federal investigation that has now resulted in charges against 63 defendants related to staged auto collisions in the New Orleans area.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that an indictment contains only charges, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case highlights the Justice Department’s focus on combating both insurance fraud and witness intimidation, with the alleged murder of Garrison representing a dramatic escalation of criminal activity in what began as a financial crime investigation.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.