'Operation Sideswipe': Staged 18-wheeler crash case goes to federal trial Monday
WWL, By Sananda McCall, March 1, 2026
In all, 63 people have been charged in the sweeping investigation — from slammers and spotters to attorneys accused of pursuing fraudulent lawsuits.
NEW ORLEANS — Nearly six years after former WWL Investigative reporter Mike Perlstein first exposed it, the massive federal fraud probe known as “Operation Sideswipe” is finally headed to trial. Jury selection begins Monday, with opening statements expected Tuesday, as two New Orleans attorneys accused of orchestrating staged 18-wheeler crashes — along with two men tied to the murder of a key federal witness, prepare to face a judge.
Federal prosecutors say the alleged scheme sounds like something out of a movie but unfolded on highways across the New Orleans area. At the center of the case are Vanessa Motta, a former Hollywood stuntwoman turned attorney, and Jason Giles of The King Firm. Investigators allege the pair helped mastermind a multimillion-dollar staged accident scheme targeting commercial trucking companies.
According to court filings, the operation relied on so-called “slammers” — drivers who intentionally crashed into 18-wheelers, then jumped out while passengers claimed injuries. The goal, prosecutors say, was to file lawsuits against trucking companies and secure large settlements.
The scheme first drew suspicion in federal civil court when judges noticed a pattern: eight nearly identical lawsuits involving 18-wheelers were halted. Five of those cases were filed by Motta, who had just graduated from law school at the time — more than any veteran attorney in the region.
Randy Guillot, owner of Triple G Express, described how the crashes allegedly worked in a 2019 interview: “One being involved in the incident, fraudulently, intentionally, and the second vehicle being a ‘quote’ innocent bystander.”
Transportation officials estimate the alleged fraud drove insurance premiums up by roughly $600 per Louisiana family.
Former Louisiana Congressman Garrett Graves said stopping the activity became a priority after learning the scope of the scheme. “That was the single motivation for us. Once we learned about what happened down in New Orleans, we realized this is something that could not happen again.”
The investigation escalated dramatically in 2020 with the murder of Cornelius Garrison, a 36-year-old alleged slammer who had begun cooperating with the FBI. Court records show Ryan Harris, known as “Red,” has pleaded guilty in connection with Garrison’s killing and agreed to a 35-year sentence in exchange for cooperation. Prosecutors say his assistance helped secure more than 50 guilty pleas in the broader case.
In his confession, Harris claimed Leon Parker pulled the trigger and that disbarred attorney Sean Alfortish, Motta’s fiancé, paid for the hit. Under federal law, killing a witness can carry the death penalty.
Back in 2020, former FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Bryan Vorndran issued a warning: “If you're involved in this or something similar, you may want to have a few sleepless nights between now and a few months out.”
In all, 63 people have been charged in the sweeping investigation — from slammers and spotters to attorneys accused of pursuing fraudulent lawsuits. Motta and Giles now face charges including conspiracy, mail fraud, obstruction of justice and witness tampering.
After years of investigation, dozens of guilty pleas and the murder of a cooperating witness, Operation Sideswipe now moves into a major phase as a jury prepares to hear the case.
Link.