Mississippi Man Sentenced for Possession of Firearm as a Previously Convicted Felon

Greenville, MS – A Mound Bayou man was sentenced today to over six years in prison for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

According to court documents, Dennis Coleman, 44, previously pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. He was sentenced today by Chief Judge Debra M. Brown of the U.S. District Court to 74 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Coleman was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal upon the conclusion of sentencing.

“Keeping firearms out of criminals’ hands is always going to be a focus of this office,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner.  “Thanks to the Cleveland Police Department, the Bolivar County S.O. and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, this community is now safer for citizens and families due to the concerted efforts of our law enforcement partners.”

“This sentencing sends a clear message that those who repeatedly break the law and endanger others will be held accountable. Keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted felons is critical to protecting our communities,” said Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. “I commend the collaborative efforts of all agencies involved for their work in bringing this case to justice.”

This case was investigated by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cleveland Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Mims prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.