A man from Mound Bayou, Mississippi, has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Dennis Coleman, 44, was sentenced by Chief Judge Debra M. Brown of the U.S. District Court to 74 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Coleman had previously pleaded guilty to the charge and was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshal following his sentencing.
U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner stated, “Keeping firearms out of criminals’ hands is always going to be a focus of this office. Thanks to the Cleveland Police Department, the Bolivar County S.O. and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, this community is now safer for citizens and families due to the concerted efforts of our law enforcement partners.”
Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell added, “This sentencing sends a clear message that those who repeatedly break the law and endanger others will be held accountable. Keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted felons is critical to protecting our communities. I commend the collaborative efforts of all agencies involved for their work in bringing this case to justice.”
The investigation involved several agencies: the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office, and Cleveland Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Mims prosecuted the case.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through cooperation between law enforcement agencies and communities. In May 2021, the Department announced an updated strategy for PSN focusing on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that work on violence prevention, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-launches-violent-crime-reduction-strategy-strengthen-project-safe).
