Two men in New Orleans have been charged for their roles in a staged semi-truck crash scheme that included the murder of a federal witness. Sean Alfortish and Leon Parker face charges related to planning the murder of Cornelius Garrison, a witness cooperating with the FBI.
The big picture: This case is part of a large federal investigation into staged truck collisions aimed at defrauding insurance companies.
- Garrison, known as a "slammer," was involved in orchestrating crashes with 18-wheelers and commercial vehicles.
- He was murdered at his mother's house on September 22, 2020, while collaborating with the FBI.
Details: A grand jury in New Orleans returned a thirteen-count second superseding indictment on April 25, 2025, with new murder charges against Alfortish and Parker.
- Ryan J. Harris, another former defendant, pleaded guilty earlier this year for his involvement in Garrison's murder, alongside conspiracy and wire fraud charges.
- The scheme involved fake accidents where participants would deliberately sideswipe large trucks, flee, and then file false insurance claims, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Zoom out: Sixty-three individuals, including some in law firms, have been charged in connection to this long-reaching fraudulent plot.
The court has highlighted the severity of these crimes, with the two defendants facing potential life sentences if convicted.