Ringleader Of Staged Accident Group Pleads Guilty

A ringleader of a group that allegedly staged wrecks and accompanying injuries in Harrison, Marion and Taylor counties to get insurance payouts has pleaded guilty. Dallas Lewis, 55, of Clarksburg, entered a plea before U.S. Magistrate Michael John Aloi Thursday to felony conspiracy to commit mail fraud and will be sentenced at a later date by U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley. Lewis and his lawyer, Zach Dyer of Clarksburg, agreed to a stipulation that the defendant was involved in more than $550,000 of phony insurance payouts, but less than $1.5 million; that there were 10 or more victims; and that there were five or more participants, of which Lewis acted over as an organizer or leader.