Crime & Safety
Ex-Marin Deputy Coroner Sentenced For Molestation
It was disclosed in court that the victim is former Marin County Chief Deputy Coroner Darrell Harris' biological daughter.
SAN RAFAEL, CA – Former Marin County Chief Deputy Coroner Darrell Harris was sentenced Wednesday to one year in the Marin County Jail and five years probation for committing a lewd act with a minor.
It was disclosed in court that the victim is Harris' biological daughter.
Harris, 47, was remanded after the sentencing. Harris must register for life as a sex offender, may not own a gun, not seek employment with law enforcement and stay away from the victim for 10 years, Horngrad said.
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With good conduct credits, Harris will serve six months of his sentence, Deputy District Attorney Yvette Martinez-Shaw said.
Harris pleaded guilty to one felony charge at his scheduled preliminary hearing on Jan. 11. Under the plea, Harris did not admit wrongdoing but agreed to plead guilty in consideration of the plea agreement, Horngrad said.
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Earlier in the court proceedings, Marin County Superior Court Judge Kelly Simmons expressed displeasure about the proposed plea agreement.
She agreed to the plea Wednesday after Harris' daughter wrote her a letter stating she wanted the case to end and did not want to testify at a trial, Martinez-Shaw said Wednesday afternoon.
Horngrad said the crowd in the courtroom was comprised of separate supporters of Harris and his daughter.
Horngrad said, "Everyone walked out unhappy."
Harris was charged with five counts of sexual misconduct when the victim was a minor and an adult between May 2008 and March 2017. Four counts were dismissed at sentencing.
At the time of Harris' plea, Marin County District Attorney Ed Berberian said the disposition was in the interest of the victim.
San Rafael police asked the Santa Rosa Police Department to investigate the case because Harris' work caused him to interact with many different Marin County law enforcement officers, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Terry
Anderson said.
Santa Rosa police arrested Harris in Humboldt County, and he was booked in the Marin County jail on May 8, 2017.
Harris was employed with the Marin County coroner's office since 2003 and was promoted to chief deputy coroner in 2015.
By Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock
