Man Fined $25,000 And Sentenced To Prison For Conspiracy, Obstruction Of Justice
United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown announced today that William James Atkinson III, 56, of Theodore, Alabama, was sentenced to a fine of $25,000 and two months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy and obstruction of justice. United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose imposed the sentence. The evidence presented at trial showed that that in February, 2012, Andrew Atkinson and Mathew Atkinson destroyed a hard drive at the direction of their father, William James Atkinson III. That hard drive contained evidence related to a child molestation investigation being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security.
“Interfering with the integrity of a law enforcement investigation is itself a serious crime, and anyone who destroys evidence or otherwise obstructs justice can expect to be investigated and prosecuted themselves,” said Brown.
The investigation was performed by the Department of Homeland Security office of Homeland Security Investigations and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Sean P. Costello and Maria E. Murphy handled the prosecution of the case on behalf of the United States.
