Nashville Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

Defendant Ignored Residents Repeated Request to Stop Selling Drugs in Their Neighborhood

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 5, 2017 – Anthony Laquesa Coleman a/k/a Scrappy, 30, of Nashville, Tenn., was sentenced today to 20 years in prison, followed by six years of supervised release, by Senior U.S. District Judge Marvin E. Aspen of the Northern District of Illinois (sitting by designation in the Middle District of Tennessee), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith of the Middle District of Tennessee.

Coleman was indicted in July 2015 and pleaded guilty in November 2016 to possessing drugs with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Coleman had previously been convicted on state charges including, two drug felony convictions, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and reckless aggravated assault.

According to the facts presented at his plea hearing, Coleman regularly sold cocaine and crack cocaine in the area of 16th Avenue North and Buchanan Street in North Nashville. Area residents had previously asked him not to sell drugs in that area.

On March 23, 2015, Coleman was again selling drugs in that area when a woman and her children returned to their home, along with another woman. They again asked Coleman not to sell drugs near their home. Coleman refused to leave, obtained a loaded pistol from a friend, and threatened the women in the presence of the young children. As police were called, Coleman fled to a nearby rooming house, where officers from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department arrested him.

“All of our citizens, in every neighborhood, deserve to live without fear and without the invasive nature of drug dealers permeating their neighborhoods,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith. “Community involvement is a vital part of keeping our neighborhoods safe, and we encourage residents to continue to work with our local and federal law enforcement partners to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sunny A.M. Koshy and Ahmed Safeeullah.