Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Cahokia Man Sentenced to Prison for Destruction of Evidence
A Cahokia man, Raphael L. Harris, 22, convicted of Destruction of Evidence in violation of federal law, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison on May 11, 2015, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Harris was also sentenced to 1 year supervised release to follow imprisonment, a $150 fine and a $100 special assessment. Harris pleaded guilty to the charges on January 20, 2015. Harris has been in custody since his arrest. According to court documents, Harris was with David Bradford when they saw ATF agents conducting a search at Bradford’s East St. Louis residence. Harris and Bradford left the area, and Harris traded cell phones with Bradford. Harris later disposed of the cell phone because he believed it to be tapped. Bradford was later indicted for weapon and drug offenses and is awaiting trial.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Kit R. Morrissey, Assistant United States Attorney.
###