Defendent Sentenced On Firearm And Drug Trafficking Charges
DES MOINES, IA - In a hearing held on April 30, 2008, John Coleman, 31, was sentenced for 300 months for his crimes involving drug trafficking and firearms, announced United States Attorney Matthew G. Whitaker. The defendant was previously convicted in October of 2007, of Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, and Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. United States District Chief Judge Robert W. Pratt also sentenced the defendant to a period of supervised release of 5 years following his imprisonment, and a $400 special assessment to the Crime Victims Fund.
Coleman’s charges stemmed from a traffic stop on May 17, 2006, in Des Moines, Iowa. The defendant, passenger in the vehicle, was in possession of 61.96 grams of cocaine and 20 MDMA (Meth) pills as well as loaded 9mm Ruger pistol and a loaded Taurus .40 caliber pistol. Parole has been abolished in the federal system. Supervised release following completion of the sentenced term of imprisonment has replaced parole. If a defendant violates the conditions of supervised release, the defendant can be sentenced to an additional term of imprisonment beyond the original sentence of imprisonment. Coleman remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service pending designation of the prison at which he will serve his sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Des Moines Police Department. This case was prosecuted in the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Iowa.