CENTERVILLE, IL – Reginald J. Coleman, 26, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 46 months for dealing heroin and illegally possessing firearms. The sentence was handed down on March 3, 2017, by a federal judge following a guilty plea entered last September.
Coleman’s downfall began on October 14, 2015, when authorities conducting a routine parole compliance check at his mother’s Centreville residence uncovered a stash of heroin clearly packaged for street-level distribution. Alongside the narcotics, investigators also found three firearms – a dangerous combination for a convicted felon.
According to court documents, Coleman admitted to possessing both the heroin and the weapons during his September 30, 2016, plea hearing. The bust was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the St. Clair County Probation Office, demonstrating a coordinated approach to taking down local drug dealers and recovering illegal weapons.
U.S. Attorney Donald S. Boyce for the Southern District of Illinois announced the sentencing, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges. Coleman has been locked up since his October 2015 arrest, first on state charges and then transferred to federal custody. The 46-month sentence will run concurrently with any remaining state penalties.
This case isn’t about a minor infraction. Coleman was actively pushing poison onto the streets of Centreville while simultaneously carrying illegal firearms. This represents a clear and present danger to the community, and the sentence reflects that gravity.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison skillfully prosecuted the case, bringing Coleman to justice. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal crime trends in Illinois and report on those who prey on vulnerable communities. Coleman’s conviction serves as a warning: dealing drugs and possessing illegal weapons will land you in federal prison.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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