⏱ 2 min read
A convicted felon from Huntersville, North Carolina, has been sentenced to prison for illegally possessing multiple firearms, including a machinegun. Justin Lloyd Coleman, 44, was found to have hidden an arsenal of guns in his attic and apartment, despite being prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous state firearm conviction. The bust occurred in December 2024, after law enforcement received a tip about Coleman’s illegal activities. Coleman pleaded guilty to possession of a machinegun in November 2025.
Coleman’s cache of illegal firearms included four AR-style rifles, a short-barreled rifle with a high-capacity magazine, machineguns, firearm components, ammunition, and five destructive devices, including improvised grenades. The discovery of these weapons led to Coleman’s arrest and subsequent sentencing to 80 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Huntersville Police Department, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson praised the agencies for their work, stating that keeping firearms out of the hands of those who should not have them is crucial for community safety.
Coleman is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and will be transferred to a federal facility to serve his sentence. The case highlights the importance of enforcing federal firearms laws to prevent convicted felons from possessing deadly weapons.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Weapons
- Defendant: North Carolina
- Location: NC
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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