Birmingham Woman Arrested for Obstruction of Justice and Making a False Statement

BIRMINGHAM – Federal agents on Tuesday arrested a Birmingham woman for obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal law enforcement, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, FBI SAC Johnnie Sharp, Jr. and U.S. Marshal Martin Keely.

VERANDA RENEE HARRIS, 59, of Birmingham, Alabama, was arrested on April 2^nd on a two-count indictment for obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal law enforcement.  The grand jury returned the indictment against Harris on March 28^th. 

On October 29, 2018, Harris followed and photographed a juror in the employee break room at the juror’s workplace following a guilty verdict against Harris’ brother, Derrick Johnson, in federal court in October 2018, according to the indictment. 

Harris was interviewed by representatives of the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service about her contact with the juror.  During the interview, Harris continued to deny the juror’s allegations, despite being confronted with evidence from audio and video recordings.

“Jury service is one of the most important duties of a United States citizen, and trial by jury is one of the most important concepts of our government,” Town said. “We take very seriously those who try to impede, influence, or intimidate jurors, whether before, during, or after trials.”

The maximum penalty for obstruction of justice is ten years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. 

The maximum penalty for making false statements to federal law enforcement is five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. 

FBI and U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case, which Assistant United States Attorney John J. Geer, III is prosecuting.