NEW HAVEN, CT – Antrum Coston, 41, of New Haven, is in deeper trouble with the feds after being indicted on charges of unlawful firearm possession. The indictment, returned March 6, alleges Coston was packing a loaded Taurus G3 9mm handgun with an extended magazine when he was arrested by New Haven Police on October 25, 2023. The kicker? He was already out on bond, awaiting to begin serving time for a separate federal case.
This isn’t Coston’s first rodeo. Just last September, U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill sentenced Coston to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release for a laundry list of offenses: pandemic relief fraud, money laundering, and drug crimes. Judge Underhill had ordered Coston to surrender to begin his sentence on November 29, 2023 – but that didn’t happen. Instead, a little over a month later, he was allegedly caught with the firearm and controlled substances.
Federal prosecutors aren’t mincing words, pointing to Coston’s extensive criminal history which includes two prior federal convictions for firearm offenses. This makes him a repeat offender, and the feds are seeking a significant penalty. Coston pleaded not guilty at his appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford.
If convicted on both counts, Coston is looking at a potential 25-year stretch behind bars. Fifteen years for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and an additional ten years for possessing the weapon while already on federal release. The case is being spearheaded by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.
The ATF’s Boston Field Division and the New Haven Police Department are jointly investigating the case, framing it as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. According to the DOJ, PSN focuses on the “most violent offenders” and partners with local programs to prevent future crime.
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery issued the standard disclaimer – that a criminal complaint is not proof of guilt and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt – but the evidence, as presented, paints a clear picture of a man repeatedly violating the law and disregarding the terms of his release. Coston remains detained as the case proceeds.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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