Williamsport Man Charged With Possession Of A Firearm By Convicted Felon

WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Joseph Santore Coleman, Jr., age 36, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was indicted on August 10, 2017, by a federal grand jury for possession of a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol after being convicted for a felony offense.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the indictment alleges that Coleman possessed a Bryco Arms, Jennings Nine, 9mm semi- automatic pistol on May 7, 2014.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecution has been assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney George J. Rocktashel.

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

# # #