From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — A convicted felon was sentenced this week for illegally possessing firearms on separate occasions.
“This defendant is a prime example of the effectiveness of using federal firearms laws to remove habitual offenders from our streets,” U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona said. “He now has six years to think about whether he’ll pick up another firearm.”
Court documents state that on January 14, 2021, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies stopped Coleman’s vehicle because it had an obscured tag. After smelling marijuana coming from the vehicle and learning that Coleman had an outstanding warrant, deputies arrested him. During a vehicle search, a deputy retrieved a prescription pill in the front seat area and from under the driver’s seat, a loaded 9-millimeter pistol, and a bag of marijuana.
After Coleman made bond for state charges related to January 14, 2021, traffic stop, Gardendale police officers encountered Coleman on March 21, 2021, during a domestic disturbance call at an apartment complex. While investigating the incident, an officer saw a pistol in plain view in the front seat of Coleman’s vehicle. After Coleman was given a trespass warning for the property, officers retrieved the 9-millimeter pistol and arrested him for not having a pistol permit. Additionally, officers found a small amount of marijuana, 24 Xanax pills, and six counterfeit $100 bills in Coleman’s pockets.
Prior to the above arrests, Coleman incurred ten felony convictions: two for Theft of Property, Second Degree; one for Burglary, Third Degree; two for Theft of Property, First Degree; two for Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle; two for Identity Theft; and one for Receiving Stolen Property, Third Degree.
“This individual is another example of a person who repeatedly and intentionally violates local, state, and federal laws,” SAC Mickey French said. “The ATF will continue to work diligently with our local, state, and federal partners to remove these individuals from the communities that we serve and protect in order to create safer environments.”
ATF investigated the case along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Gardendale Police Department.