Anton Coker, Felon in Possession of Firearms, California 2016

Anton Coker, 42, of Oakland, was sentenced to nine years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a guilty plea entered on April 19, 2016.

As part of his plea agreement, Coker admitted to having previous felony convictions that prevented him from legally possessing firearms or ammunition. Despite this, between June 30, 2015, and July 31, 2015, Coker sold five guns and ammunition to a confidential informant and undercover agents. He also sold crack cocaine from his Oakland residence during the same period.

Agents executed a search warrant at Coker’s residence and the storage unit next to it on August 17, 2015, and seized two more handguns and ammunition that Coker admitted belonged to him.

Coker was indicted on August 27, 2015, and charged with four counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Pursuant to his plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to one count and admitted the conduct underlying the other three counts, which were dismissed.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White handed down the nine-year sentence, as well as a three-year period of supervised release, which will commence after Coker completes his prison sentence. Coker has been in custody since his arrest in January 2016.

The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) with the assistance of the United States Marshal’s Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas Lerman is prosecuting the case with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Barton and Jeanne Carstensen.

Coker’s case serves as a reminder of the consequences of violating federal firearm laws. Those with prior felony convictions are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. The ATF and other law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to prevent and investigate such crimes.

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