Joint LSP and LDI Investigation Leads to Arrests in Multi-Million Dollar Staged Crash Scheme

Lafayette Parish – On March 25, 2025, Troopers with the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit (IFAT) Breaux Bridge Field Office launched an investigation into a suspected staged crash scheme. The investigation led to the arrests of 45-year-old Justin Ledet of Rayne, 38-year-old Steven Thomas of Lafayette, and 37-year-old Alfred Onezine of Breaux Bridge.

The investigation began after Troopers received a criminal complaint from the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI), following a report from a trucking company which suspected fraudulent activity related to a crash that occurred on January 19, 2025, in Lafayette Parish. Investigating Troopers determined that Ledet, Thomas, and Onezine conspired to stage a crash at the intersection of Willow Street and Teurlings Drive in Lafayette. Ledet, while operating the company’s truck, intentionally struck the rear of a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Thomas, who was accompanied by Onezine and three juvenile passengers.

Following the crash, all five occupants of the Silverado filed insurance claims against the trucking company, seeking a combined potential fraud amount of approximately ten million dollars in damages.

On May 2, 2025, Troopers arrested Ledet and Thomas for LA R.S. 22:1925 – Automobile Insurance Fraud. Both were processed into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center without incident.

On May 29, 2025, Troopers arrested Onezine on a warrant for three counts of LA R.S. 14:93 – Cruelty to Juveniles and four counts of LA R.S. 22:1925 – Automobile Insurance Fraud. During the arrest, Onezine resisted Troopers and was additionally charged with LA R.S. 14:108 – Resisting an Officer. He was processed into the St. Martin Parish Jail without further incident. This investigation remains ongoing.

Colonel Robert Hodges, Louisiana State Police Superintendent, stated: “When individuals try to take advantage of a system that our residents rely on, it can put lives at risk and burden others with the cost. I’m proud of the work our Troopers did alongside the Louisiana Department of Insurance. We will continue working together to make sure those who commit these crimes are held accountable.”

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple stated: “At a time when Louisiana drivers are already paying the highest auto rates in the nation, these men put three children in harm’s way to try and make a quick buck off our insurance system and the citizens who pay into it. My thanks go out to the LDI Fraud team for their good work in identifying this staged accident scheme and to State Police for their thorough investigation and successful arrests. The LDI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to aggressively pursuing those who commit these types of insurance crimes.”

Citizens play a vital role in identifying fraud-related crimes and are encouraged to report any suspicious activity. For more information, visit the LSP Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit at lsp.org/ifu or the Louisiana Department of Insurance at ldi.la.gov. Secure online reporting is also available through the Suspicious Activity link at lsp.org.

Contact Information:

Sgt. Ross Brennan

Louisiana State Police

Public Affairs Section – Region 2

Office: (985) 857-3680

[email protected]

John Ford

Deputy Commissioner

Public Affairs

Louisiana Department of Insurance

Office: (225) 342-4950

[email protected]