Ft. Thompson Man Arraigned on Firearms and Wildlife Charges

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Ft. Thompson man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm and three counts of Unlawful Taking of Wildlife.

Richard Coleman, Jr., age 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 8, 2012. Coleman appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on May 22, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction of Count I, the firearms offense, is 10 years' imprisonment. The maximum penalties on Counts II and IV, unlawfully taking a Bald Eagle and migratory birds, is 1 year in custody. The maximum penalty on Count II, unlawfully taking of a deer, is six months in custody. The charges are merely accusations, and Coleman is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case. Coleman was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.