Jury Convicts Sean Alfortish for Role in Staged Collision Scheme

New Orleans - Today, U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced that a jury returned a verdict of guilty for Sean Alfortish ("Alfortish"), convicting him of his role in a years-long scheme to defraud trucking and insurance companies.

Specifically, Sean Alfortish was found guilty of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. The jury did not reach a verdict on charges against Alfortish and codefendant Leon Parker ("Parker") relating to the murder of Cornelius Garrison, III ("Garrison"), a cooperating witness for the FBI. Chief U.S. District Judge Wendy B. Vitter declared a mistrial on those counts.

Alfortish was also convicted on one count of obstruction of justice and one count of witness tampering relating to Garrison. Specifically, Alfortish was convicted of offering to move Garrison out of the country and offering him $500,000 to take the fall for the staged wrecks scheme. Alfortish was found not guilty on two counts alleging that he had paid an inmate in St. Charles Parish Jail to lie under oath.

In total, Alfortish faces a total statutory sentence of 90 years. Parker previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and two counts of mail fraud. He faces a total statutory sentence of 60 years.

"Today's verdict is an important step towards justice for the victims of this scheme," said U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. "Alfortish and Parker exploited the courts to benefit themselves and their confederates. The jury's verdict demonstrates the dedication of the Department of Justice to preserving the integrity of our justice system."

"The FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office worked hundreds of hours to make sure justice would be done for Mr. Garrison and his family, and for the people of Louisiana," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. "We will continue our work to expose criminal wrongdoing, undeterred."

This verdict was the result of countless hours of hard work by the investigators, support teams, and prosecutors assigned to this case. The dedication to duty and cooperation between the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Department of Justice Criminal Division, and FBI New Orleans, paved the way for today's successful outcome.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle, and the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section of the Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice, would like to acknowledge the tremendous work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police with this matter, and extend their thanks for the assistance of the United States Marshals Service, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Payne, Senior Litigation Counsel; Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division and Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman; and U.S. Department of Justice Trial Attorneys J. Ryan McLaren and Samir Paul, of the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section.