Earlier this month, two men from Michigan found themselves in legal trouble following a scheme involving a court-mandated paternity test. The incident took place on September 18 at the Macomb County Administration Building, where Derek Harrison, 36, allegedly impersonated Mark McCracken, 34, to provide a DNA sample on McCracken’s behalf. The deception came to light thanks to security measures at the building.

The plot was uncovered when the child’s mother contested the paternity test results, which had surprisingly indicated that McCracken was not the father. Upon hearing the results, she insisted, “That’s impossible, let me see who came in,” prompting officials to review the surveillance footage.

Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido detailed the investigation, explaining that the building’s video surveillance played a pivotal role. When shown the footage of the man who provided the DNA sample, the mother immediately recognized that it was not McCracken.

“It’s clearly marked that you’re being recorded in the prosecutor’s office,” Lucido stated, emphasizing the importance of visual documentation in the process. “We take a picture to validate what we are doing,” he added, underscoring the measures in place that helped expose the fraudulent act.

“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.”

[Feature Photo: Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office]