KEVIN FREDERICK COLEMAN, a/k/a “Gusto”, 25, of Seattle, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. COLEMAN was identified for federal prosecution in mid 2009, when law enforcement focused both on the gang violence in Central Seattle, and an open air drug market in the Union Street corridor. COLEMAN was identified as a member of the “East Union Street Hustlers,” a sub set of the Black Gangster Disciples (BGDs). COLEMAN was arrested on October 19, 2009, following two sales of crack cocaine on June 9, and July 9, 2009. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez recommended that COLEMAN have drug treatment in prison and the judge prohibited him from associating with gang members during his three year term of supervised release.

COLEMAN made two drug sales in a geographic area targeted by law enforcement. The Union Street corridor was plagued by open air drug trafficking. On June 9, 2009, COLEMAN was arrested and found to have both crack and marijuana packaged for sale. A month later on July 9, 2009, he was back in the same area selling crack once again.

COLEMAN has been touched by the gang violence in central Seattle; his younger brother Quincy “Lil’ Q” Coleman was shot and killed near Garfield High School on Halloween night in 2008. The shooting has never been solved. COLEMAN’s gang has been involved in a long running turf battle with south end gangs. The feuds between BGD’s and other gangs have directly resulted in a number of drive-by shootings and other firearm crimes. When COLEMAN’s residence was searched at the time of his arrest, law enforcement recovered a bullet proof vest, and a camouflage pouch containing what appear to be magazines for an AK-47 style assault rifle. Additional evidence was seized linking COLEMAN to gang activity.

In asking for a significant federal sentence Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi wrote to the court that COLEMAN “sold crack cocaine in a neighborhood plagued by an open air drug market and the associated chaos and violence. He persisted in doing so; he was arrested, released, and immediately returned to selling crack... (COLEMAN’s) prosecution and sentencing sends a powerful message to other members of his gang, as well as to other drug dealers in the Union Street corridor.”

The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.

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