New Orleans Man Guilty of Staged Automobile Accident Conspiracy

US Department of Justice, Eastern District of Louisiana, October 31, 2024

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – The United States Attorney’s Office announced that ANTOINE CLARK (“CLARK”), age 34, of New Orleans, pled guilty on October 30, 2024, to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  Today’s guilty plea brings the total number of defendants convicted for staging collisions in “Operation Sideswipe” to 49.

According to court documents, CLARK, and others, conspired to fraudulently stage an automobile collision to obtain money.  CLARK, Shirley Harris (“Harris,”) and other co-conspirators intentionally collided with a tractor-trailer on April 24, 2017, in Interstate 10 near the Crowder Boulevard exit in New Orleans.  CLARK and Harris made false police reports, filed a fraudulent lawsuit, lied during deposition testimony, and sought unnecessary medical treatment, to further their fraudulent claims.  The United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance set sentencing in this matter for January 29, 2025.

CLARK faces up to five (5) years of imprisonment; up to three (3) years of supervised release; and a fine of up to $250,000.00.  A $100 mandatory special assessment fee is also applicable.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the 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, and Edward Rivera of the Financial Crimes Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.

Link.