(MOBILE, Ala.) William Atkinson III, 56, of Theodore has been sentenced to two months in prison and three years probation on conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges.
Federal prosecutors say Atkinson ordered his sons, Andrew Atkinson and Mathew Atkinson, to destroyed a hard drive that contained evidence related to a child molestation investigation being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. Another son, William Atkinson IV is in jail in Honduras accused of molesting two children at the family's orphanage.
"Interfering with the integrity of a law enforcement investigation is itself a serious crime, and anyone who destroys evidence or otherwise obstructs justice can expect to be investigated and prosecuted themselves," said U.S. Attorney Kenyon Brown in a release.
