Ronald Coleman, Cocaine Trafficking, Illinois 2024

A California truck driver has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for trafficking $2.5 million worth of cocaine destined for Chicago.

Ronald Coleman, 45, of Barstow, Calif., pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston imposed the sentence during a hearing in federal court in Rockford on April 2023.

Coleman admitted in a plea agreement that in April 2023 he was the driver of a semi-truck and trailer traveling through Whiteside County, Ill. on Interstate 88.

Inside his semi-trailer, he knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute more than 91 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $2.5 million.

Coleman was transporting the cocaine to a warehouse in Chicago, where he was to exchange the drugs for cash and transport the money back to California.

Inside his semi-truck, Coleman also possessed a firearm to protect himself, the cocaine, and the cash during the transport.

Coleman expected to be paid for transporting the cocaine from California to Chicago.

The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Illinois State Police provided assistance in the investigation.

The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Ladd.

MANDATORY FACTS:

• Defendant/Respondent: Ronald Coleman
• Criminal Charges: Possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine
• City and State: Rockford, Illinois
• Date: April 2023
• Sentence: 11 years in federal prison
• Dollar Amount: $2.5 million

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