Eastern District of Louisiana | Three More Sentenced In Staged Automobile Collision Scheme

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Legal professional Duane A. Evans declared that BERNELL GALE (“GALE”), age 46 of Raceland, Louisiana, TANYA GIVENS (“GIVENS”), age 45, of Gibson, Louisiana and DAKOTA DIGGS (“D. DIGGS”), age 27, of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, were being every single sentenced on March 1, 2023 in United States District Courtroom.  Each and every defendant had formerly pled to one particular count of Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, arising out of staged vehicle incidents with tractor-trailers happening in New Orleans.

According to courtroom information, on March 27, 2017, GIVENS conspired with passengers Lois Russell (“Russell”), John Diggs (“J. Diggs”), and James “Curtis” Williams (“Williams”) to phase an accident with a tractor-trailer at the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Highway.  Damien Labeaud (“Labeaud”) and Roderick Hickman (“Hickman”) also participated in this incident.  Hickman, while driving Russell’s vehicle, intentionally struck the 18-wheeler and then fled the scene in a getaway motor vehicle driven by Labeaud. Russell suggested NOPD that she was the driver and she, alongside with GIVENS and J. Diggs, manufactured statements for personal accidents. In complete, the victim trucking and insurance companies paid out out around $272,500.00 for these fraudulent promises.

In accordance to court information, on May 17, 2017, D. DIGGS, Henry Randle (“H. Randle”), and Ryan Wheaten (“Wheaten”) served as travellers in an vehicle collision staged by Labeaud in the vicinity of U.S. Freeway 90 East and Calliope Road in New Orleans.  Labeaud fled the scene in a getaway vehicle driven by Mario Solomon.  H. Randle falsely noted to the NOPD that he had been driving and that the tractor-trailer had struck his automobile.  Soon thereafter, Labeaud and Solomon went on to phase a next accident in the vicinity of Louisa Avenue and Chickasaw Street in New Orleans with GALE, Troy Smith (“Smith”), Marvel Francois (“Francois”), and yet another passenger. Immediately after these collisions, D. DIGGS, H. Randle, Wheaten, GALE, Smith, and Francois created fraudulent promises for own injuries. The victim trucking and insurance businesses paid out somewhere around $10,000.00 for these phony promises.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced DIGGS to 60 months of probation, restitution in the amount of $11,000 and a $100 obligatory distinctive evaluation cost.  GIVENS was sentenced to 60 months of probation, restitution in the amount of money of $363,970.63 and a $100 necessary special evaluation fee. GALE was sentenced to 36 months of probation and a $100 required distinctive evaluation charge.  The court set a restitution hearing for GALE for May possibly 31, 2023 at 2 p.m.

The U.S. Attorney’s Place of work would also like to admit the support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana Condition Police, and the Metropolitan Criminal offense Commission with this make a difference. The prosecution of this circumstance is staying dealt with by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni, both of the Financial Crimes Device  and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Main of the Economic Crimes Unit.