NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Lawyer Duane A. Evans introduced that, on February 15, 2023, U.S. District Decide Sarah S. Vance sentenced HERBERT ALLEN (“ALLEN”), age 38, and DION RIDLEY (“RIDLEY”), age 23, after they pleaded responsible to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Part 371. Decide Vance sentenced ALLEN to 37 months in jail, adopted by 3 years of supervised launch. RIDLEY was sentenced to six months in jail, adopted by 1 yr of supervised launch. Decide Vance additionally imposed a compulsory particular evaluation payment of $100 as to every defendant.
In accordance with courtroom paperwork, the defendants admitted to being in a conspiracy to commit mail fraud in reference to a staged vehicle collision. Within the scheme, ALLEN falsely claimed that he was the driving force of a automobile that was struck by a tractor-trailer on June 28, 2017. RIDLEY, a passenger within the automobile, falsely claimed that ALLEN was driving the automobile and so they had been struck by a tractor-trailer. In truth, the federal government’s proof confirmed that the defendants conspired with Damien Labeaud (“Labeaud”), Roderick Hickman (“Hickman”), and others to deliberately collide ALLEN’s 2007 Chevrolet Impala with a tractor-trailer within the space of Tchoupitoulas Avenue and Calliope Avenue in New Orleans. Each defendants lied in civil depositions, falsely claiming that ALLEN was driving the automobile that collided with the tractor-trailer, when the truth is Hickman was driving the automobile and deliberately hit the tractor-trailer. Via their false statements and acts of deception, ALLEN was capable of safe a $50,000 financial settlement from the proprietor and insurer of the tractor-trailer, and RIDLEY was capable of safe a $90,000 financial settlement.
The U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace wish to acknowledge the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Fee with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being dealt with by Assistant U.S. Lawyer Brandon S. Lengthy; Brian M. Klebba, Unit Chief; Assistant U.S. Lawyer Maria M. Carboni; and Assistant U.S. Lawyer Edward Rivera, all members of the Monetary Crimes Unit.
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