Beaumont North End Drug Traffickers Indicted on Federal Charges

BEAUMONT, Texas – U.S. Attorney Alan R. Jackson announced today that eight individuals have been charged with federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

                A federal grand jury in Beaumont returned indictments on Jan. 10, 2018, naming multiple individuals with various drug trafficking violations.  Law enforcement agencies began arresting defendants today.  The following eight defendants are in custody and will make initial appearances before federal magistrate judges in Beaumont:

• • Eric Paul Coleman, 32, of Beaumont, Texas
  • Minnie Coleman, 56, of Beaumont, Texas
  • Christopher Dudley, 39, of Beaumont, Texas
  • Clayton Howard, 40, of Beaumont, Texas
  • Jordan Marshall, 24, of Beaumont, Texas
  • Arthur Jenkins, 46, of Beaumont, Texas
  • Patrice Stocker, 28, of Beaumont, Texas
  • Ivy Chatman, 30, of Beaumont, Texas

                “The Department of Justice has made addressing neighborhood violent crime a priority, as has the Eastern District of Texas,” said U.S. Attorney Alan R. Jackson.  “Today’s indictment of Eric Coleman and his associates by a federal grand jury represents the culmination of months of hard work by the Beaumont Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This indictment is a direct strike against significant drug trafficking and violent crime in the city of Beaumont, and we will continue to use all available tools and resources to help keep our community safe.” 

                “This is one of the most important investigations for the Beaumont Police Department in recent years,” said Beaumont Police Chief Jimmy Singletary.  “I cannot remember a more violent group of criminal that we’ve ever encountered in this city.  We appreciate the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and DEA in the investigation and prosecution of these individuals.  I am very proud of our narcotics officers and special assignment unit officers and the excellent way they work with the DEA agents during this complex and high-risk investigation.  In a press conference four months ago, we told the citizens of Beaumont we would get these individuals and we did.  There are more out there and we’re going after them”          

                According to information included in the indictment, from December 2012 through December 2017, Coleman is alleged to have distributed both powder and crack cocaine from Beaumont's North End.  The indictment alleges Coleman received powder cocaine from Christopher Dudley, who brought it to Beaumont from Houston. Clayton Howard assisted Dudley in transporting cocaine from Houston to Beaumont.

                The indictment further alleges Coleman sold both powder and crack cocaine and manufactured crack cocaine from residences he owned in Beaumont’s North End that are within 1000 feet of the Homer Drive Elementary School.  He did the same from the home of his mother, Minnie Coleman, who also helped Eric Coleman distribute powder cocaine and crack cocaine.  Jordan Marshall, Arthur Jenkins, Patrice Stoker, and Ivy Chatman participated in distributing Coleman's narcotics.  Eric Coleman, Minnie Coleman, and Patrice Stoker agreed to take cash proceeds from the narcotic sales and put them into a bank.  To protect his narcotics operation, Coleman and associates such as Jordan Marshall, carried and agreed to carry firearms to protect territory from rival narcotics' dealers.

                Defendants face from between ten years to life in federal prison if convicted.

These cases are being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Beaumont Police Department and being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher T. Rapp. 

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.