A Chicago street gang member has been sentenced to 34 years in federal prison for the murder of Paul Harris, which he committed to advance his standing within the gang. Diontae Harper, 25, admitted to shooting Harris on May 13, 2020, at a gas station in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood. The crime was committed with another individual as part of activities associated with the Faceworld street gang.
Harper also made threats toward a witness while in custody earlier this year. He pleaded guilty in January to discharging a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death. U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah handed down the sentence on May 8, 2025.
The sentencing was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Chicago Field Office; and Larry Snelling, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julia Schwartz, Sushma Raju, and Matthew Moyer are representing the government.
Two other individuals involved in the crime have pleaded guilty to murder in aid of racketeering and are awaiting sentencing.
