Ryan J. Harris, also known as "Red," pleaded guilty to charges related to a scheme involving staged automobile collisions in the New Orleans area. The U.S. Attorney's Office and the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Harris, aged 36, appeared before United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter and admitted guilt to a three-count superseding bill of information.
Harris faced charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, and causing death through the use of a firearm. Court documents revealed Harris acted as a "slammer" in orchestrated car crashes involving 18-wheeler tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles. After these staged collisions, passengers recruited for the scheme falsely claimed to be drivers and filed fraudulent insurance claims. These passengers were then referred by Harris to attorneys involved in the plot who filed fake lawsuits on their behalf.
Additionally, Harris confessed to aiding in the murder of Cornelius Garrison, a federal witness cooperating with agents since October 2019 about the staged collision activities. Garrison was killed outside his home on September 22, 2020.
For Counts One and Two, Harris faces up to twenty years in prison per count, fines reaching $250,000 or double financial gains or losses incurred by victims, three years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee per count. Count Three could result in life imprisonment or death penalty options alongside similar financial penalties and five years supervised release.
As part of his plea agreement under Rule 11(c)(1)(C) of Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, Harris agreed with prosecutors on a total sentence of 35 years imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for September 23, 2025.
The case was supported by collaborative efforts from various agencies including FBI's New Orleans Field Office; New Orleans Police Department; Louisiana State Police; Assistant U.S Attorneys Matthew R Payne; Brian M Klebba (Chief Financial Crimes Unit); Mary Katherine Kaufman along with Trial Attorney J Ryan McLaren from DOJ’s Money Laundering & Asset Recovery Section.