A Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Robbery Receives Additional Time for Jailhouse Kidnapping
A man who was sentenced to 30 years for his involvement in a high-profile robbery that resulted in the death of a 73-year-old grandfather and Vietnam vet has been given an additional four years in prison for his role in kidnapping and holding another inmate for ransom while awaiting trial in the Cook County jail.
Last year, Frank Harris, who had previously received juvenile probation for a vehicular hijacking, along with 17-year-old DuShawn Williams, attempted to carjack Vietnam vet Keith Cooper in a strip mall parking lot. The incident led to Cooper’s death after being assaulted by Harris and Williams.
While awaiting trial for murder charges related to Cooper’s death, Harris and two other detainees in jail kidnapped a fellow inmate and held him for ransom. The victim, who was awaiting trial for a double murder, was lured into a bathroom where he was physically assaulted and forced to make a ransom call.
After the victim managed to alert authorities about the kidnapping, an investigation was launched, and Harris ultimately pleaded guilty to kidnapping in exchange for a four-year sentence.
With credits for good behavior and other factors, Harris is expected to be paroled in February 2037.
According to a sheriff’s office spokesperson, incidents like this were rare but had occurred before the implementation of the tablet program in 2023, which allows detainees to access various services like video chats, educational materials, and an extensive library.
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