BY DAN HORN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Prosecutors say Raymond Bridges knew he was in trouble when a judge ordered him to take a paternity test in 1994.
He was so worried, they say, that he arranged to have a friend take the test for him.
Three years later, Mr. Bridges is in a different kind of trouble. He and his friend, Charles Thomas, were indicted Friday by a Hamilton County grand jury on charges of tampering with evidence. They are accused of conspiring to falsify a blood test that was supposed to determine whether Mr. Bridges was the father of his girlfriend's son.
Although the tests usually are conducted with both parties present, prosecutors say a scheduling conflict apparently allowed Mr. Bridges to set his appointment at a different time.
On the day of the test, they say Mr. Thomas showed up, signed Mr. Bridge's name, provided a sample of his blood and allowed authorities to photograph him. DNA test results of the blood sample ruled out Mr. Bridges as the child's father.
This year, however, his former girlfriend called police and told them she had heard that the two men were discussing the switch with friends.
Investigators pulled the case file and saw that the photo of Mr. Thomas did not match the photo of Mr. Bridges.
Prosecutor Joseph Deters said problems with the testing procedure are rare and his office has never prosecuted anyone else for such a crime.
He did not know when another test would be performed to determine whether Mr. Bridges is the father.
If convicted, Mr. Bridges could face up to two years in jail. Mr. Thomas, who also is charged with forgery, could be sentenced to 3ï years.
