Cody M. Coats, Carjacking, Ohio 2017

CLEVELAND, Ohio - A Cleveland man was caught in the act of firing a shotgun during a carjacking in Euclid, leaving behind a trail of destruction and chaos.

According to officials, Cody M. Coats, 25, was charged in a three-count indictment with carjacking, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges stem from a carjacking that occurred on August 14, 2017, outside a Euclid bar, where Coats allegedly used an Itahca short-barreled shotgun to steal a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire.

Coats' rampage did not end there. After crashing the stolen car on East 222nd Street near Lakeshore Boulevard following a police chase, he was arrested. The indictment also alleged that Coats possessed a shotgun and 20 12-gauge shotgun shells despite a prior conviction for burglary.

'In the course of committing a robbery, this defendant fired a shotgun and crashed a stolen car near a busy intersection,' U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. 'We will work with all of our law enforcement partners to ensure violent individuals with firearms cannot prey on law-abiding citizens.'

'ATF is committed to combating gun violence in our communities,' said Trevor Velinor, ATF Special Agent in Charge for the Columbus Field Division. 'We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, including the Euclid Police Department, to arrest violent criminals and make our communities safer.'

This case was investigated by the ATF and Euclid Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Joseph M. Pinjuh. If convicted, Coats' sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including his prior criminal record, his role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Cody M. Coats, a 25-year-old Cleveland man, faces serious charges of carjacking, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Coats allegedly used a shotgun to steal a car outside a Euclid bar on August 14, 2017, and crashed the vehicle after a police chase.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/cleveland-man-indicted-firing-shotgun-euclid-carjacking