DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Louisiana

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Kenneth Allen Polite, Jr.
, United States Attorney
Contact: Anna Christman

Meraux Man Sentenced To 5 Years in Prison for Conspiracy Related to Falsifying Records for Gun Purchase

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that RICKEY COLEMAN, age 26, of Meraux, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to one count of conspiring to falsify ATF records related to the purchase of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced COLEMAN to 60 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to court records, COLEMAN enlisted the help of two other individuals to aid in the purchase of a firearm from Academy Sports in Elmwood on June 9, 2013. COLEMAN was a previously convicted felon and prohibited from buying a firearm. The female who purchased the firearm falsified an ATF form regarding the true ownership of the firearm.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in investigating this matter along with the assistance of the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Edward J. Rivera was in charge of the prosecution.

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New Orleans Field Division