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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ISHAIS PRICE (“PRICE“), age 41, of New Orleans, Louisiana,  was sentenced today for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, before United States District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance, arising out of a staged automobile accident with a tractor-trailer occurring in New Orleans.

According to documents filed in federal court, PRICE, along with her co-defendants, Doniesha Gibson (Gibson), of New Orleans, Louisiana; and Chandrika Brown (Brown), of Harvey, and a co-defendant driver conspired to commit mail fraud in connection with a staged accident with a co-defendant driver. Thus far, the total number of defendants convicted in “Operation Sideswipe” is thirty-seven (37).

PRICE claimed that on October 15, 2015, she was a passenger in a 2014 Dodge Avenger owned and driven by Gibson that was hit by a Hotard bus while traveling on the I-10 near the flyover of the I-510.  Also in the vehicle was defendant Brown.  In truth, a co-defendant asked Gibson to recruit Brown and PRICE to ride along as  passengers and he then intentionally sought out a commercial vehicle to intentionally hit. After the staged accident, the co-defendant driver switched seats with Gibson, and they called the N.O.P.D.  Gibson, along with the passengers, falsely stated that the Hotard bus illegally changed lanes and caused the accident. Thereafter, Brown, Gibson, PRICE, and the co-defendant driver each retained counsel and made demands against Hotard’s owner and insurer for personal injury damages. As a result of the claims, the insurer utilized the U.S. mails to send the settlement drafts to Brown, Gibson, PRICE, and the co-defendant driver’s counsel. The total settlement for the Hotard bus accident was approximately $677,500.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced PRICE to one (1) year and one (1) day  imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police, and the Metropolitan Crime Commission with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Rivera; Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Carboni; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Long.