Five Charged for Conspiring to Stage Automobile Accidents

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ANTOINE CLARK (“CLARK”), age 33, of New Orleans, Louisiana; DIMITRI FRAZIER (“FRAZIER”), age 31, of Westwego, Louisiana; SHIRLEY HARRIS (“HARRIS”), age 38, of New Orleans, Louisiana; ADONTE TURNER (“A. TURNER”), age 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana; and TIFFANY TURNER (“T. TURNER”), age 52, of New Orleans, Louisiana were indicted on August 10, 2023.

The indictment charges these defendants with intentionally staging automobile accidents with tractor-trailers in New Orleans to defraud trucking and insurance companies .  According to the indictment, defendants CLARK and HARRIS intentionally collided with a tractor-trailer on April 24, 2017, in the area of Interstate 10 near the Crowder Boulevard exit in New Orleans.  The indictment also alleges that, on November 13, 2017, FRAZIER, A. TURNER, and T. TURNER intentionally struck a tractor-trailer in the area of Interstate 10 near Paris Road in New Orleans.  CLARK, HARRIS, FRAZIER, A. TURNER, and T. TURNER made false police reports, filed fraudulent lawsuits, lied during deposition testimony, and sought unnecessary medical treatment in furtherance of their fraudulent claims.

These defendants were all charged with one (1) count of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  CLARK and HARRIS were also charged with two (2) counts of Wire Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.  If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of five (5) years for the conspiracy count and twenty (20) years as to the Wire Fraud counts.  Upon their release from prison, each defendant can be placed on a term of supervised release for up to five (5) years and fined up to $250,000.00 per count.  A $100 mandatory special assessment fee per count is also applicable.

U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys’ Maria Carboni,  Brandon Long, and  Edward Rivera, all of the Financial Crimes Unit and, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.