SANDRA MARIE ANDERSON SENTENCED FOR FALSIFYING MATERIAL FACTS, OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, AND FALSE REPRESENTATIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Justice Department today announced the sentencing of Sandra Marie Anderson for falsifying material facts, making false statements to federal authorities, and obstruction of justice. Anderson, a handler of canines trained to find human remains-who had worked with federal and state authorities on numerous investigations-was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered to pay over $14,500 in restitution.

Anderson had participated in high-profile investigations and rescue efforts, achieving a measure of international fame for her dog-handling skills. Between June 2001 and April 2002, she participated in several searches with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement as part of an investigation into the disappearance of a woman who was suspected to have been murdered and buried in Michigan’s Huron National Forest.

In April of 2002, a crime-scene technician witnessed Anderson fraudulently planting a bone in the forest. A wide-ranging federal investigation into Anderson’s wrongdoing revealed a pattern of fraudulent behavior. In multiple investigations, she repeatedly planted human remains, fibers, and items stained with her own blood, which she later represented as evidence. Anderson made false statements to authorities in an attempt to cover up her wrongdoing. She pleaded guilty on March 10, 2004.

“Manufacturing evidence is reprehensible behavior that threatens the integrity of our criminal justice system, especially when committed by someone charged with upholding the law,” said R. Alexander Acosta, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The vast majority of the men and women who serve in the criminal justice system do so with honesty and courage. Today’s sentencing sends the message that individuals who tarnish the service of their fellow public servants will be held accountable.”

“This case represents a clear demonstration of the Department of Justice’s goal of ensuring that all criminal investigations throughout this country attain and maintain the highest honorable and professional standards,” said Craig S. Morford, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The case was prosecuted by attorneys from the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Michigan State Police; Ohio State Police; Oakland County, Michigan Sheriff’s Department; Oakland County, Michigan Homicide and Major Crime Task Force; Oscoda Township, Michigan Police Department; Bay City, Michigan Police Department; Plymouth, Michigan Police Department; Monroe County, Michigan Sheriff Department; Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation; Toledo, Ohio Police Department; Fulton County, Ohio Sheriff Department; Caddo Parish, Louisiana Coroner's Office; Shreveport, Louisiana Fire Department, and the Armed Forces Institute of DNA in Maryland.

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