March 24, 2008

DENVER MAN SENTENCED TO FOURTEEN YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE CRACK COCAINE

DEFENDANT WAS ON PAROLE STATUS AND ILLEGALLY
POSSESSED A FIREARM

            DENVER – Troy A. Eid, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, and Matthew W. Horace, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in Denver, announced that CHARLES EDWARD HARRIS, Jr., age 32, of Denver, was sentenced to serve 168 months (14 years) for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of crack cocaine.  When HARRIS was arrested authorities also found that he illegally possessed a firearm. 

HARRIS was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on October 2, 2007, and pled guilty on January 3, 2008.  He was sentenced on March 14, 2008 by U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on September 7, 2008, Colorado Department of Corrections parole officers, with assistance from the Denver and Aurora Police Departments, conducted a home visit of the defendant’s residence in North Denver.  HARRIS was on parole by the state for a conviction of Attempted Escape out of Denver District Court.  Parole officers are legally allowed to search residences, vehicles, or any property under a parolee’s control. 

During a search of the defendant’s residence, officers found crack cocaine making implements.  They also found a Remington 20 gauge shotgun, and five rounds of ammunition.  HARRIS’ prior felony conviction in Denver made him a prohibited person who was not allowed to possess a firearm.

“This is another example of collaborative impact law enforcement at its finest utilizing federal, state and local resources,” said ATF SAC Matthew Horace.  “When a worthy defendant receives a sentence like this one we can all be proud that we have worked together and had a positive impact on our community.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Colorado Department of Corrections, the Denver Police Department, and the Aurora Police Department.  The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasandra Carleton.

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