OTHO HARRIS Sentenced

A Chicago resident, OTHO HARRIS, 63, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for setting fire to the Boost Mobile Store located at 809 E. 79th Street in 2019.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours of September 10, 2019, when HARRIS broke the front door of the store, poured gasoline into the building, and set it on fire. This act of arson was reportedly motivated by HARRIS’ frustration with the store’s response to his broken cellphone.

According to reports, the day before the incident, on September 9, 2019, HARRIS got into a confrontation with a store employee about the broken cellphone. The situation escalated, and HARRIS slammed the phone down onto the ground before exiting the store. The employee had informed HARRIS that the phone could not be repaired, which apparently triggered his aggressive behavior.

HARRIS, who pleaded guilty to one count of arson in September 2022, has a lengthy criminal history involving multiple prison sentences for other violent crimes. This latest sentence is a testament to the gravity of his actions and the need for accountability.

On February 9, 2023, U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr., imposed the 96-month prison sentence. The court also ordered HARRIS to pay $195,701 in restitution for the extensive damage the fire caused to the Boost Mobile store. This significant financial penalty reflects the severity of the damage inflicted on the store and its owners.

The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Jeffery L. Matthews, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri represented the government in this case, ensuring that justice was served.

The outcome of this case serves as a reminder that violent crimes will not be tolerated in our society. The cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the judiciary is crucial in maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law. As HARRIS begins his eight-year prison sentence, it is hoped that this punishment will serve as a deterrent to others who may consider engaging in similar destructive behavior.

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