Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ALBUQUERQUE – Steve Coleman, 56, of Thoreau, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for violating the federal firearms laws. 

 

Coleman was arrested on Feb. 4, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm on Jan. 21, 2016, in McKinley County, N.M. 

 

Coleman was subsequently indicted on Feb. 24, 2016, and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR).  Coleman was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his previous felony convictions which include, unlawful sale of migratory birds, dangerous use of explosives and bribery/retaliation of a witness.

 

On Nov. 3, 2016, Coleman pled guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and admitted that on Jan. 21, 2016, he was in possession of two pistols, which he was not allowed to possess because of his prior felony convictions.  Coleman further admitted that he discharged one firearm at his neighbor’s dogs. 

 

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Mexico State Police and the McKinley County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Han prosecuted the case.