San Jose Man Sentenced To 21 Months For Destroying Evidence

SAN JOSE – Randy Daniel Shattuck was sentenced on September 5, 2013 to 21 months in prison for destroying evidence, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

Shattuck pleaded guilty on January 10, 2013. According to the plea agreement, Shattuck admitted that after he had learned of the existence of a criminal investigation into his internet activities, he intentionally destroyed certain files that were stored on his external hard drive, just minutes before the arrival of federal agents to his residence.

Shattuck, 29, of San Jose, was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 26, 2012, and charged with a single count of the destruction of evidence.

“The severity of this sentence should send a strong message of deterrence to anyone considering destroying evidence. This Office will investigate and prosecute persons that obstruct investigations by our partners in federal law enforcement,” said United States Attorney Melinda Haag.

The sentence was handed down by The Honorable D. Lowell Jensen, U.S. Senior District Court Judge, following a guilty plea on the single count of the indictment, violation of 18 U.S.C. 1519. Judge Jensen also imposed a fine of $3,000 and sentenced the defendant to three years of supervised release. The defendant will begin serving the sentence on November 5, 2013.

Timothy J. Lucey is the Assistant United States Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Laurie Worthen. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security.