Schenectady Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm, Marijuana Charges

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Muhammad Coleman, age 42, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon, and to possessing and conspiring to distribute marijuana.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Timothy Foley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.

Coleman admitted that he conspired with others to sell marijuana, including by selling marijuana from his residence from at least May to October 2021.  He also admitted to possessing about 20 pounds of marijuana, and to possessing a 10 mm Caspian Arms handgun, when the DEA searched his house on October 21, 2021.  Coleman was not permitted to possess this firearm as a result of a prior drug felony conviction.

Coleman faces up to 20 years in prison, as well as a minimum term of post-imprisonment supervised release of 3 years, when United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino sentences him on August 4, 2022.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Coleman agreed to forfeit, as proceeds of the marijuana conspiracy, $319,387 in U.S. currency, and nine items of jewelry collectively worth more than $100,000, which the DEA seized on October 21, 2021.

This case was investigated by the DEA’s Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force, which includes DEA Special Agents and investigators from state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Saratoga Springs Police Department, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) assisted in this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.