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Harris Sentenced to 20 Years for Cocaine Trafficking, Assault
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Melvin James Harris, 46, of Peshawbestown, Michigan, has been sentenced to 240 months in prison for committing five felonies between August and November, 2019, U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced.
A jury convicted Harris in July 2020 of distributing cocaine, assaulting a federal officer, contempt of court, conspiracy to witness tamper, and witness tampering. His sister, Vanessa Louis Hunter, 45, of Rockford, Illinois, was also convicted of conspiring with Harris to tamper with a witness. A third member of the conspiracy, Corey John Raphael, pled guilty to joining the conspiracy.
The evidence at trial showed that on August 14, 2019, Harris sold cocaine to an individual who was assisting police with narcotics investigations. Harris chose the location for the sale – a spot within the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians’ community, commonly known as Peshawbestown. Four days later, Harris assaulted a federal officer who was attempting to arrest him.
After learning the identity of the person who had assisted police with the narcotics investigation, Harris conspired with Hunter, Raphael, and others to tamper with that witness, in an effort to discourage the witness from testifying against him. Harris ultimately succeeded in contacting the witness through intermediaries and asked the witness not to go to court. He also disseminated the witness’s name and other personal information in violation of a court order.
Harris has a long, violent criminal history and was classified as a “career offender” at sentencing. In its sentencing memo, the United States emphasized Harris’ extensive criminal history, which started in his teens and continued unabated into his 40’s. The United States noted that violence and drug trafficking were recurrent themes throughout his history, and he had earned 18 criminal history points.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge noted that the sentences imposed in this case send a clear message to those who would try to sell drugs, assault federal officers, and tamper with witnesses. “My Office takes these cases seriously and will vigorously prosecute them,” he said.
This case was jointly investigated by the Traverse Narcotics Team, Drug Enforcement Administration, Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police Department, Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office, and Michigan State Police.
Vanessa Louis Hunter was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Corey John Raphael was sentenced to 33 months in prison for their roles in the conspiracy.
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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