Florida Man Sentenced For Stealing Firearms

            Montgomery, Ala. –    Today, Acting United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart announced that a Florida man has been sentenced for stealing guns from a licensed firearms dealer in Dothan, Alabama. On August 24, 2021, 30-year-old Tevin Michael Coffman was sentenced to 72 months in prison for unlawfully taking a firearm from a federal firearms licensee, possession of stolen firearms, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Following his prison sentence, Coffman will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Coffman pleaded guilty to all three charges on March 3, 2021.

            According to court records and statements made in court, on March 22, 2020, Gander Outdoors, a business authorized to sell firearms in Dothan, Alabama, was burglarized and multiple guns were stolen. Surveillance footage showed someone entering the store, smashing the glass casing of a firearm display counter, and removing thirteen handguns. The suspect then placed the guns into a black bag and left the store. The Dothan Police Department began an investigation and, after reviewing video footage along with other evidence, developed Coffman as a suspect. Shortly afterwards, Coffman was spotted driving a recreational vehicle (RV) that had also been stolen from Gander Outdoors. Officers conducted a traffic stop of the RV and took him into custody. When they searched the vehicle, officers discovered the stolen firearms and other items used during the burglary. Coffman has previous felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

            This case was investigated by the Dothan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Mark E. Andreu prosecuted the case.