One More Sentenced for Conspiring To Stage Automobile Accidents in Order To Defraud Insurance and Trucking Companies | USAO-EDLA

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Legal professional Duane A. Evans declared DASHONTAE Youthful (“YOUNG”), age 28, of Houma, Louisiana, was sentenced now for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Part 371, arising out of a staged vehicle incident with a tractor-trailer developing in New Orleans.

In accordance to documents filed in federal court docket, on June 6, 2017, Youthful and co-defendant’s Lucinda Thomas (“Thomas”), Mary Wade (“Wade”) and Judy Williams (“Williams”) drove from Houma, LA, to fulfill with Damian Labeaud (“Labeaud”), for the reason of staging an vehicle incident in order to obtain dollars as a result of fraud. Soon after their conference, Thomas, Wade, Williams, and Youthful agreed to allow Labeaud to push Thomas’ 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche automobile. The defendants then drove around the vicinity of Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Highway of New Orleans right until they situated a 2017 Freightliner tractor-trailer. At roughly 12:30 P.M., Labeaud deliberately collided with the tractor-trailer. Labeaud then exited Thomas’ vehicle and instructed Thomas to get driving the wheel of Thomas’ Avalanche to make it appear that Thomas was driving the vehicle at the time of the staged incident.

Thomas, Wade, Williams, and Youthful contacted the NOPD and falsely noted that Thomas experienced been the driver of the Avalanche and that the tractor-trailer had struck her vehicle. Labeaud then returned to the scene and also made fake statements to the NOPD that he experienced witnessed the accident and that the driver of the tractor-trailer experienced been at fault.

Prior to and soon after the staged accident, Labeaud contacted attorney Patrick Keating (“Keating”) and arranged a meeting with Thomas, Wade, Williams, and Young at a rapidly food items restaurant on Chef Menteur Highway. Keating then filed two lawsuits in condition court that have been removed to the U.S. District Court docket for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Thomas, Wade, and Williams each and every admitted to giving wrong testimony in different depositions taken in conjunction with the lawsuits filed by Keating. Ultimately, but only following a yr of pursuing their fraudulent lawsuits, did Thomas, Wade, and Williams settle their instances for $7,500.00 each individual.

U.S. District Decide Eldon E. Fallon sentenced Young to five (5) a long time probation, $43,000.00 in restitution, and $100.00 required distinctive assessment charge.

The U.S. Attorney’s Business would also like to admit the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Fee with this issue. The prosecution of this circumstance is remaining managed by Assistant U.S. Lawyer Brian M. Klebba, Main of the Monetary Crimes Unit Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni Assistant U.S. Legal professional Edward Rivera and Assistant U.S. Lawyer Brandon Extensive. 

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