Former Law Enforcement Officers Plead Guilty to Conspiracy

NEW ORLEANS—Kevin J. Guillot, age 43, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana; and Daniel G. Spears, a resident of Belle Chasse, Louisiana, age 40, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. Anthony Venezia, age 34, a resident of Westwego, Louisiana, also pled guilty to one count of misprision of a felony.

According to court documents, Guillot was employed by the New Orleans Police Department for approximately 20 years, rising to the rank of sergeant. In or around April 2012, Guillot resigned from the NOPD. Likewise, Spears was employed as a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy, off-and-on, from 2001 through 2011. Spears resigned from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in or around February 2012.

According to court documents, in or around June 2011, a truck owned by Guillot began malfunctioning and, instead of paying for the repairs, Guillot and others, including Spears, concocted a scheme to defraud his insurance company, Progressive Insurance Company. According to the factual basis, on or about June 28, 2011, Guillot called 911, reported he was in Jefferson Parish all day on a boat with his nephew, Venezia, and claimed his truck had been stolen from a boat launch in Jefferson Parish. Spears, as the JPSO deputy on duty, wrote a police report, substantiating Guillot’s claim. Guillot also called Progressive, his insurance company, and claimed his truck was stolen. In reality, according to court documents, Guillot placed these calls from his home in New Orleans and the truck in question was not stolen but was, in fact, located in his driveway at his home. Thus, as was known by both Guillot and Spears, the claim to the insurance company made by Guillot was false and Spears’s police report was also false. Additionally, in or around July 2011, Guillot’s nephew, Venezia, was interviewed by representatives of Progressive and he made numerous false statements to support Guillot’s fraudulent story.

Guillot and Spears each face a maximum penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. Venezia faces a maximum penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 22, 2012.

The case was investigated by agents Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as officers from the New Orleans Police Department’s Public Integrity Bureau and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Chester.