In the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the Louisiana accident staging ring, on January 16, 2024, Ryan “Red” Harris pled guilty, before Judge Wendy Vitter of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and causing death through the use of a firearm. While the murder could garner up to life imprisonment, a plea deal was made for Harris to serve thirty-five years in federal prison.

Harris admitted to being a “slammer” in staged accidents in the New Orleans area. Slammers, in these instances, intentionally collide with commercial vehicles, often fleeing the scene immediately thereafter with another individual claiming to be the driver. The actual and alleged vehicle occupants would then file their false insurance claims. Harris also admitted to referring claimants to attorneys as part of the scheme. Perhaps most importantly, Harris admitted to aiding and abetting the murder of Cornelius Garrison. Garrison was a cooperating federal witness, a fellow slammer, who was gunned down only days after being named in a federal indictment.

News reports also note that Harris alleges he provided one Leon Parker with the gun used to murder Garrison, but claimed Parker was the one who killed Garrison. Harris also reportedly accused Sean Alfortish, a disbarred attorney who was recently named in unsealed federal indictments, with paying Leon Parker to kill Cornelius Garrison. Among other allegations, FBI testimony alleges that Alfortish and attorney Vanessa Motta attempted to pay for Garrison to flee to the Bahamas; that Harris was associated with at least one burner phone used in the Garrison murder; and that Parker and Harris sent to each other photos of a 9mm gun, the same type used in the Garrison murder. Harris was indicted with Alfortish, Motta, attorney Jason Giles, and others, in a document that was unsealed on December 9, 2024.

With this new information, and direct allegations made regarding the murder of Cornelius Garrison and those involved, the plot for this far-reaching staged accident investigation thickens. This new information is likely to put pressure on those also being investigated/prosecuted to provide any additional information and come to their own plea agreements with the United States.

We expect the pace of these prosecutions and the release of additional information may pick up soon. We will report as this matter continues to develop.