Convicted Felon Heads to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 31-year-old Corpus Christi man has been sentenced following his conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. James Lee Coddington pleaded guilty Sept. 3, 2015.

Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos ordered Coddington to serve 92 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.

The charge stems from an investigation by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD). 

In April 2015, CCPD officers responded to a call regarding a disturbance with a weapon involving Coddington trying to force entry into a house with a black handgun. The officers were able to locate Coddington, who had a previous felony conviction, and recovered a Glock 9mm handgun with a loaded 50 round drum magazine. 

Coddington was arrested and taken into federal custody in June 2015 as part of Operation Rusty Hook. The operation was a coordinated effort by federal, state and local law enforcement to identify violent offenders, stop gun violence and protect the community.

In custody since his arrest, Coddington will remain in custody and serve his sentence at a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be designated in the near future.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt.