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Louisiana Man Sentenced in Case Involving Staged Vehicle Accidents Meant to Defraud Insurance and Trucking Companies

Louisiana – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that Dewayne Coleman (“Coleman”), age 22, of Marrero, Louisiana, was sentenced today 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 documents, Coleman and his co-defendants conspired to commit mail fraud in connection with a staged accident on September 6, 2017. So far, thirty-two defendants have been convicted in “Operation Sideswipe”.

Coleman admitted that on September 6, 2017, he was a passenger in co-defendant Erica Lee’s 2015 RAV4 being driven by their former co-defendant when he intentionally crashed into an Averitt Express tractor-trailer on I-10 near the Almonaster exit. Following the staged accident, the driver exited the RAV4 and instructed Erica Lee to take the wheel in order to make it appear that Erica Lee was driving the vehicle at the time of the staged accident. The defendants contacted the NOPD, falsely claiming that Erica Lee was the driver at the time of the accident. Coleman retained legal counsel and filed a claim for monetary damages. The Averitt accident resulted in a total settlement of $30,000.

Coleman gave false testimony in depositions taken in connection with the Thompson Lawsuit on March 26, 2019. Coleman lied about the September 6, 2017 accident in his deposition, including, but not limited to, who was driving the RAV4 and the extent of their injuries.

Coleman was sentenced by United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance to twelve months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, $ 121,076 in restitution, 100 hours of community service, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

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 Edward J. Rivera, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long is prosecuting this case.

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