Category: CNN Regional

By Erin Lowrey

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    NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — Another star witness for the federal government has taken the stand in a wide-ranging staged wrecks trial.

Ryan Harris, who pleaded guilty to staging wrecks as a slammer in the scheme, took the stand Monday morning.

Vanessa Motta and Jason Giles are standing trial for three weeks and are both accused of staging car crashes to fraudulently collect insurance money.

Motta, a former stuntwoman turned plaintiff’s lawyer, and Giles, a principal at the King Firm, are charged with wire fraud, mail fraud, obstruction of justice and witness tampering.

Harris, who was indicted in connection with the staged wrecks as well as an investigation into the killing of a federal witness in the case, pleaded guilty to three charges in January 2025.

Harris pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud, and causing death by use of a firearm.

While on the stand, Harris testified that he was paid by Motta and her fiancé, Sean Alfortish, to stage multiple crashes.

He admitted to staging wrecks for his cousin Shirley, Whalen Collins, Woneyesha Winchester, and Tiffany Turner.

According to Harris, the indictment against him did not include every crash he was a part of.

Harris said he was responsible for making sure people involved in crashes gave consistent stories.

According to Harris, he would also meet in conference rooms at Motta’s office to coach people involved in wrecks on what to say and how to explain the crashes.

Harris testified to Motta instructing him to add damage to crashes in instances where cars only had minor damage in the staged wrecks to make sure it matched up with the injuries people were claiming.

Harris said he and Cornelius Garrison, a slammer in the scheme who was murdered, staged over 80 crashes for Motta and Alfortish.

According to Harris, he helped Garrison recruit people for crashes.

Some of the people he recruited were his cousin Shirley and his friend Winchester.

Harris said Winchester was a close friend who used a church van in her wreck.

For his cousin Shirley’s wreck, Harris testified that her cases resulted in a lawsuit and that he warned her that what they were doing was fraud.

“I told her there are going to be some bad ones. We talked about this plenty of times — it’s fraud,” Harris said on the stand.

Harris also testified to other wrecks, including one where a group left a family function in New Orleans East and purposefully crashed into an 18-wheeler.

Harris admitted to being the driver in this crash and that he recommended Motta to the rest of the group.

In other cases, Harris admitted to being a spotter in the scheme. A spotter would watch nearby and make sure the crashes were facilitated.

In these instances, Garrison would be the slammer.

While on the stand, Harris testified to two companies that were listed on payment documents from Motta’s firm.

One company was Harris’ landscaping company, and another company was a T-shirt company linked to Collins, who was a participant in some of the staged wrecks.

Harris said Motta never bought T-shirts.

Harris then described breaking off from Garrison and staging wrecks on his own.

He said that Garrison “showed him what to do,” so he continued to work for Motta and Alfortish until 2023.

Harris described shifting to car-on-car crashes instead of 18-wheelers, describing those crashes as being his preference.

According to Harris, he’d staged car-on-car crashes in New Orleans east because it was dark, and there were few houses nearby.

Harris then spoke on how Motta coached him on insurance policies.

According to Harris, he said Motta explained to him how to make sure damage to cars was sufficient, and even outlined which insurance companies paid the most.

Harris said Motta told him specifically that Liberty Mutual “pays out pretty good” and encouraged him to target people with these policies.

According to Harris, at one point, Motta tried to pressure him to get a surgery called “ablation.”

He testified that Motta told him to “Just get it. We’ve been dealing with accidents for a while, you’ll end up needing it down the line.”

According to Harris, he was in the process of getting the surgery when he was arrested in 2024.

Harris ended his testimony describing his relationship with Motta as a friendship. He said they even met each other’s families and that he “did not keep anything secret” from her about staging crashes.

Motta’s attorney, Sean Toomey, began cross examining Harris, specifically questioning who paid him.

Harris testified that he never received checks out of Motta’s personal account, but that the payments came from Alfortish’s account or company.

Toomey stressed that even if Motta paid him, the actual checks came from Alfortish, and not Motta directly.

Toomey also pointed out difference in Harris’ statement to the FBI about Motta.

According to Toomey, Harris told the FBI he split cases between Motta’s firm and The King Firm with Garrison.

Harris told Toomey he “had no control” over the King firm, only Motta’s firm.

Toomey also pointed out that Harris had told the federal government that Motta did not say she knew the accidents were staged.

Harris said he believed she knew because it was “common sense.”

“Vanessa knew. We talked about it a lot,” Harris said during Toomey’s questioning.

Harris repeated multiple times that he had no control over what was in the FBI’s notes. He also told Toomey that he never told Motta the crashes were legitimate or that he had nothing to do with fraud.

Toomey also questioned Harris about the sentence he is facing, and whether or not he was given a sentence reduction for his cooperation.

Harris stressed he was testifying to tell the truth, and that the government has not guaranteed him anything for his cooperation, saying the sentence was “up to the judge.”

Toomey also questioned him about any meetings he had with the federal government to prepare for trial.

Harris said the meeting he was a part of only explained how the trial would work, and prepared him for being questioned.

Toomey then tried to introduce recordings into the trial, but the court called a break before any audio was played.

When court returned, the audio was never played and Linda Van Davis, Giles attorney, cross examined Harris.

Van Davis asked Harris about the cases he brought to the King Firm.

Harris testified that he brought more than a dozen cases to the firm, but couldn’t think of any specific names.

One name was provided to Harris, Jasmine Howard.

According to Van Davis, the King Firm closed Howard’s case in 2019 due to suspicion of fraud.

Harris told Van Davis that he participated in over 80 crashes, and wouldn’t remember all of them.

Van Davis also questioned Harris on who paid him from the King Firm.

According to Harris, Garrison paid him, not Giles.

Harris said he did not personally know Giles, and only recognized him from seeing him on the news.

According to Harris, he mainly dealt with Garrison and a person named “Spider” who dealt with Giles. According to Harris, “Spider” also brought cases to the King Firm and handled all interactions with Giles.

Harris said he never went inside the King Firm, and was not sure if Garrison ever did either.

Before Harris ended his testimony, the federal government asked him again what law firm he primarily used for staged accidents, and who paid him.

Harris said he used Motta’s firm, specifically saying he, “did not feel the need to use another law firm.”

Harris reiterated that Motta knew the crashes were staged, and even instructed him to tell people he worked for Alfortish if his payments were questioned, even though he worked for her.

Harris testimony ended right before a lunch break in the trial.

About the scheme:

The scheme has drawn significant attention from the legal community due to the state’s high auto insurance rates.

The federal investigation was launched months after WDSU Investigates broke the story in October 2018, following reports from lawyers for trucking companies about repeated involvement of the same individuals and law firms in multiple crashes, notably the Motta Firm and the King Law Firm.

The investigation led to changes in state laws to better protect truck drivers, who are required to carry $1 million in liability insurance.

More than 50 individuals have pleaded guilty to participating in the scheme after admitting to driving into tractor-trailers to stage wrecks.

In 2020, U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser described the scheme as “outrageous.”

Attorney Danny Keating, who pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing, reportedly collected over $1 million by handling 77 fraudulent cases.

Keating is expected to testify at the trial, along with other lawyers who have received transactional immunity for their cooperation.

Motta and Giles have pleaded not guilty, with Motta represented by former federal prosecutor Toomey and Giles by Van Davis.

The trial, presided over by Judge Wendy Vitter, a Donald Trump appointee, is expected to last four to five weeks.

A significant aspect of the case involves the homicide of a federal witness, Garrison, who was killed in 2020 after agreeing to cooperate with the investigation.

Two men, Alfortish, Motta’s fiancé, and Parker, are charged in the killing, with their trial set for August.

Motta and Giles are not charged in connection with the killing, and the judge has separated those charges to be tried later.

The jury will focus solely on whether the wrecks were staged and if Motta and Giles played key roles in the scheme.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Kristen Consillio

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    WAIMANALO, Hawaii (KITV) — Claude Colton proudly displays the farm animals he raises like family — at parties, fairs and every year at annual festivals in Waimanalo.

But within hours, Colton Farms was wiped out — fences, cages and the feed station all gone.

“The water in certain areas honestly was up to my neck. I had to swim to open up gates, checking on animals,” he said. “Battling the animals trying to get them to safety, the wind and debris flying in the air and swimming at the same time.”

At least 500 animals at Colton Farms ran off during the height of the storm over the weekend, and many of them are still missing.

“I mean when you see animals literally like looking at you, “help me,” you know, upside down and everything like that and you’re rushing in the water, thick mud, it’s hard to get to them,” Colton said.

As the water recedes he’s finding more casualties: cows, sheep, goats and pigs that drowned in the flood waters.

“When I really seen the destruction, I said I think it’s over so I was kind of hurt,” he said.

But amid the destruction, “animals are still coming back as we speak,” he added. “I honestly thought they were dead out there, but it was kind of fun, like when they reunite with each other, they’re crying, they’re making all their noises and dancing and then become a herd.”

The sounds of his animals returning from the hillside and forest giving him a glimmer of hope. And neighbors helping to build makeshift pens and donating feed for the animals, showing that aloha lives.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Mariana La Roche

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    MILWAUKEE (WISN) — A 27-year-old Milwaukee man faces three counts of first-degree intentional homicide after allegedly shooting and killing two people, including a pregnant woman, outside a North Side apartment building on March 9

Tyrese L. Allen is charged with fatally shooting Giovanni McVicker and Maya Tolbert, who was approximately 25 to 31 weeks pregnant. Her unborn child also did not survive. Each count includes a dangerous weapon enhancement.

According to the complaint, on the evening of March 9, a dispute between Allen and McVicker, who lived in separate units of the same apartment building, escalated into a confrontation outside the residence.

According to the complaint, Allen and McVicker were arguing when a physical altercation broke out among several people present, including two women. Surveillance video from the apartment complex shows that Allen “abruptly raises his arm and begins shooting at McVicker” while the two were face-to-face.

McVicker ran toward the street as Allen allegedly chased him and continued firing. The video shows McVicker “does not appear to raise his gun, point his gun at the defendant, or fire his gun,” the complaint states.

Man and woman killed in shooting at Teutonia and Green Tree in MilwaukeeTwo killed in Milwaukee double shooting; Suspect taken into custody Victims Shot Multiple Times After McVicker fell to the ground, Allen allegedly struck him before turning his attention to Tolbert, who had attempted to intervene. The complaint states Allen then shot Tolbert, who also fell to the ground. Allen allegedly returned to shoot McVicker again while he lay in the street, then fired at Tolbert a second time when she attempted to get back up.

Allen also allegedly fired in the direction of a third person, identified in the complaint as Tolbert’s sister, as she tried to flee into the building.

An autopsy conducted by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office determined McVicker suffered 31 gunshot wounds, including injuries to his brain, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines.

Tolbert sustained eight gunshot wounds to her arm, flank, back, neck and chest. Her unborn child’s death was attributed to “complications of maternal demise.”

Man and woman killed in shooting at Teutonia and Green Tree in Milwaukee’He took 3 lives’: Victim’s family in Milwaukee double shooting 41 Shell Casings Recovered Investigators recovered 41 spent 9mm casings from the scene, along with two loaded Glock magazines with blood stains, unfired projectiles and other items.

Upon police arrival, he found both victims unresponsive in the street. Bystanders pointed toward the apartment building, and Allen emerged shirtless from the vestibule, appearing to surrender.

During a Mirandized interview, Allen admitted to his involvement in the shooting, the complaint states. He told detectives the feud with McVicker had been ongoing and that McVicker was “mugging” him. Allen said he believed McVicker was trying to shoot him, “then he did not remember what happened after that.”

If convicted on any of the three counts of first-degree intentional homicide, Allen faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The dangerous weapon enhancer could add up to five years to each sentence.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Beth Carlson

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    BRADY, Nebraska (KETV) — As fire crews work tirelessly to combat the flames, Nebraskans are racing to protect their homes and livestock from the largest wildfires in the state’s history.

Owen Johnson rushed home Thursday when he saw smoke and ash approaching his ranch in Brady, Nebraska. He said five wildfire firefighters from Colorado worked to help save him and his horses as the flames closed in.

“I had 27 horses here at the house, and as the fire got closer, I could see how big it was and how hot it was. So, they said, ‘You got to get the horses out here.’ And we didn’t have trailer space. And so, we ended up turning the horses out and running them down the road,” Johnson said.

Johnson tried to turn up a ring of grass near his property, but eventually the flames got too close. He led his horses away from the ranch as local crews continued to fight the fire for hours.

Nebraska rancher describes escape from historic wildfires

“I came back down and talked to the local firefighters, and they said it would be an act of God if the house was still standing. It was about an hour after that that they’d let me come back in. And the house was still here. The guys from Colorado foamed it, they stayed until the bitter end, and they saved my house,” Johnson said.

Not everything on his property survived. Johnson said one horse died from smoke inhalation, and several more are now being treated. Johnson organized a GoFundMe to help with the added costs of the devastation.

“It burned my outbuildings, my shop, 100 or 115 bales of hay, about every acre of grass, I got burned all my corrals down,” Johnson said. “On Thursday, I guess I had, I had enough hay to last me quite a while. And when I woke up Friday morning, I couldn’t find a blade of grass or hay. I couldn’t find a leaf of alfalfa.”

Johnson said he’s grateful to those who went out of their way to help him in the aftermath, including farmers he says brought him hay from hundreds of miles away.

He said he credits the firefighters for saving his own life.

“Five guys saved my house, essentially. Know if it wouldn’t be for them, I’d probably be cooked in the dozer on top of the hill, because I stayed there till the bitter end,” Johnson said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Karin Johnson

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    CINCINNATI (WLWT) — Mauricio Narvaez, a 20-year-old valet at Prima Vista, had his car stolen during the Saturday night dinner rush on Jan. 31, sparking a community effort that led to an arrest.

Narvaez was running back and forth between the front door and the packed parking lot when he noticed something unusual.

“I’m like running back and forth from the lot,” Narvaez said.

He soon realized that the car he spotted heading out of the lot was his own.

“I was so confused. Just because, you know, like we’re running, we’re running cars there and back all day. So, at first, I was like why does that look like my car. And then I was like, oh, no,” Narvaez said.

Narvaez sprinted after the thief, who had swiped the keys from inside the restaurant. Security footage showed the man walking through the parking lot, hitting the lock button until he found the right car. Narvaez filed a report with Cincinnati police, but, understanding that detectives had larger cases to handle, he took matters into his own hands by posting about the stolen vehicle on East Price Hill’s community Facebook page.

“We ended up putting a post on Facebook, and just like, hey, stolen vehicle. It was lost last night,” Narvaez said.

Within hours, a woman reached out, asking if the car parked in a lot off Winfield Avenue with its license plate covered was his. It was indeed Narvaez’s car. Although he recovered his vehicle, his ID, keys and other belongings were missing.

“God knows what he’s done with all my things,” Narvaez said.

Police identified the man behind the wheel as 55-year-old Thomas Perkins, who is now charged with theft.

Mauricio Narvaez hopes that sharing his story sends a message that sometimes, a little persistence and community support can make all the difference.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Addison Kliewer

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    TULSA, Oklahoma (KOCO) — What started with a question ended with more than $150,000 raised for an Oklahoma family on the verge of homelessness.

Jimmy Darts, a TikTok creator whose page is centered around blessing others, approached Amanda, an Oklahoma mother and grandmother, inside a Walmart. There, while holding up a $100 bill, he asked her, “Did you drop this?”

“No,” Amanda said in the TikTok video.

“Why were you honest?” the creator asked.

“I’m a believer in Christ. I don’t believe in lying,” Amanda said.

“I was seeing the first person to be honest, and to reward your kindness, I have $500 for you,” the creator said. “Jesus loves you so much.

This content is imported from TikTok. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The Oklahoma mother was in the store with her son, Cody. The two broke into tears as the creator handed them a handful of $20 bills.

“Is this a dream?” Cody asked.

But the kindness didn’t end there. The TikTok creator pulled another $1,000 from his pocket and gave it to the family.

Through tears, the mother and son said that they are facing the possibility of being homeless. Amanda said they have until April 15 before they face that reality.

“I don’t have a car or anything. I’ve had to start all over again to try and take care of this one, two grandbabies — it’s just been miserable,” Amanda said.

But when Cody asked what the hardest part has been for him, another hardship was uncovered.

“I’ve been just getting bullied in school,” Cody said. “But the fact that God is always awesome helps me out every day.”

This all started when Regent Bank reached out to Darts in hopes of finding someone in the community to help in a meaningful way.

The bank even gifted Amanda a car.

The bank said the goal is to help rally the community around people who need a hand up.

The giving didn’t end there. Darts created a GoFundMe to help the family get a home. The GoFundMe had raised more than $150,000 just two days after it was made.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.