SIOUX CITY, IA – Cedrinique Coleman, 32, of Chicago, Illinois, is facing serious time after a federal jury found her guilty yesterday of illegally funneling guns into the hands of criminals. The four-day trial in Sioux City revealed a pattern of deceit and a blatant disregard for the law, directly contributing to gun violence across state lines.
Coleman was convicted on four counts of false statement and representation during a firearm purchase, and two counts of purchasing a firearm for another for prohibited purposes – commonly known as “straw purchasing.” While she beat two counts of false statement, the jury clearly saw through her attempts to distance herself from the deadly consequences of her actions. Between April 2020 and July 2023, Coleman purchased a total of seven firearms, and investigators quickly discovered these weren’t for law-abiding citizens.
Evidence presented at trial painted a grim picture. Two Glock 19 handguns purchased by Coleman were illegally converted into machineguns. One surfaced in Chicago, in the possession of a prohibited person. The other? Used in the shooting of a police officer in Minneapolis. Coleman attempted to cover her tracks, even reporting a Glock 22 handgun stolen – a common tactic in straw purchasing schemes to create distance from the weapon should it be linked to a crime. Another handgun was found during a search of Coleman’s apartment, in the possession of her boyfriend.
That boyfriend, a prohibited person due to illegal drug use and a prior domestic abuse conviction stemming from 2020 – a conviction involving Coleman herself – was also out on bond for an attempted murder indictment in Blackhawk County. Despite knowing all this, Coleman continued to supply him with firearms. Cell phone records and photos introduced as evidence showed direct communication between Coleman and her boyfriend regarding the purchases, proving she acted at his request. She knowingly armed a dangerous individual, putting communities at risk.
This case is a prime example of why Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) exists. This federal program brings together law enforcement at all levels to combat violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in 2021, focusing on community trust, prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. This conviction is a direct result of those efforts.
Coleman remains free on bond and will be sentenced after a presentence report is completed. She faces a potential maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. Remember, there is no parole in the federal system. The investigation was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Iowa Division of Narcotic Enforcement, Cedar Rapids Police Department, and Mason City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin C. Fletcher and Kraig R. Hamit prosecuted the case. Court file information can be found at ecf.iand.uscourts.gov, case file number 24-3038. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa on X @USAO_NDIA.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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