Alexandria Man Sentenced for Drug and Gun Crimes

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria man was sentenced today to five years in prison for using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Deandre Tyree Harris, 23, pleaded guilty on Dec. 21, 2016. According to court documents, Harris ran from police officers who were attempting to arrest him for an outstanding warrant on June 5, 2016. During the foot pursuit, Harris discarded a backpack containing a loaded firearm, distribution amounts of marijuana, and a digital scale. Harris admitted that he carried the loaded handgun while conducting drug trafficking activities and that he paid another person to purchase the handgun on his behalf, in violation of federal firearms laws. Harris also admitted to shooting the handgun in two residential neighborhoods in Alexandria on May 15 and May 31, 2016, which resulted in the Alexandria Police Department being called to the scene.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Michael B. Boxler, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carina A. Cuellar prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-304.