Two Michigan men were charged earlier this month after one of the men allegedly used the other as a stand-in for a court-ordered paternity test.
On September 18, Derek Harrison, 36, reportedly signed into the Macomb County Administration Building as Mark McCracken, 34, (pictured left) and submitted a DNA sample while impersonating McCracken. Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido told WJBK that the building has video surveillance — which became especially relevant when the child’s mother challenged the paternity results.
“That’s impossible, let me see who came in,” the mother reportedly stated after learning the test said McCracken was not her child’s father.
Lucido told WJBK that they showed her the man who took the DNA test, and she confirmed that it was not McCracken.
“It says right there you’re being recorded in the prosecutor’s office. We take a picture to validate what we are doing,” the prosecutor explained.
Harrison and McCracken were charged with tampering with evidence. Harrison was arraigned on December 1, while McCracken was arraigned on December 10. Reports indicated that the pair are also charged with being habitual offenders.
“The allegations in this matter are truly outrageous,” Lucido said in a statement. “As many know, Macomb County takes matters of child support extremely seriously, and this case will receive the full attention it warrants.”
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office]
