One of the individuals indicted for the shooting death of Cornelius Garrison, who was cooperating with the investigation into the Louisiana staged accident scam, has pleaded guilty to participating in Garrison’s murder while implicating two other individuals as the actual shooter and the disbarred lawyer who orchestrated the crime.
Ryan Harris, also known as Red, entered a guilty plea in a superseding indictment that replaced previous charges against him. The original indictment in May had accused Harris and his girlfriend of Garrison’s murder, but his girlfriend was later found to have minimal involvement in the incident and pleaded guilty to witness tampering.
Harris pleaded guilty to two counts related to mail and wire fraud, charges that were also brought against all individuals involved in the staged accident scam, as well as causing death through the use of a firearm. The Statement of Facts filed in connection with the guilty plea provided detailed information about Garrison’s death, based on witness cooperation, though this information has not yet led to new indictments.
The proffer identified Leon Parker, known as Chunky, as the shooter in Garrison’s murder. Parker had been indicted in December along with two lawyers, two law firms, and several other participants in the staged accidents scheme. The proffer also mentioned several staged accidents involving high-value cars like a Mercedes-Benz GLB 250.
Shawn Alfortish, a disbarred lawyer, was also implicated as a planner in Garrison’s murder. Alfortish had been indicted in December on obstruction of justice and witness tampering charges, but his involvement in Garrison’s death was not previously suggested.
Harris did not physically kill Garrison; Parker did, under the direction of Alfortish. Both Parker and Alfortish are currently in custody. According to the proffer, when some participants learned that Garrison was cooperating with federal prosecutors, Alfortish, Parker, and Vanessa Motta considered Garrison a “rat” and a “snitch” and decided it would be better if he were dead.
Harris arranged for Parker to meet Alfortish, knowing that the meeting was to facilitate Garrison’s murder. Harris provided Parker with a burner phone and recruited Gardner, who was unaware that the visit to Garrison’s house was intended to kill him. The staged accident scheme, known as Operation Sideswipe, had led to 63 indictments, with all charges resulting in guilty pleas rather than going to trial.
The U.S. Attorney’s office announced that Harris faces 20 years on the first two counts and life imprisonment on the third count related to the murder. Prosecutors stated that Parker murdered Garrison on September 22, 2020, as part of a scheme to prevent Garrison from further cooperation.
After the murder, Parker informed Harris that he had killed Garrison and that Alfortish had paid him for the murder. The document also mentioned that shortly before the murder, Harris had seen Parker in possession of a firearm, mask, and gloves, indicating his involvement in the crime.
In conclusion, the guilty plea by Ryan Harris sheds light on the intricate details surrounding Cornelius Garrison’s murder and the staged accident scam in Louisiana. The cooperation of witnesses has provided valuable information that has led to indictments and guilty pleas, highlighting the extent of criminal activities in the region.