Chesterfield man faces up to 15 years in prison for having a gun as a felon

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Chesterfield County man faces up to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon on Monday.

According to the Eastern District of Virginia’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, 42-year-old Matthew Chambliss Coleman of the Midlothian area entered his guilty plea on Monday, June 24, in connection to an October 2022 incident.

Court documents state that, on Oct. 22, 2022, officers with the Chesterfield County Police Department were searching for a Jeep Grand Cherokee that had been stolen.

When they found the Jeep on Branchs Wood Lane, officers reportedly witnessed Coleman flee the vehicle and run through the yard of a nearby house. According to court documents, once Coleman reached the backyard, he tossed a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun before trying to hide in another yard.

Officers later found both Coleman and the firearm, reportedly using aerial surveillance to locate Coleman’s hiding spot.

Coleman was previously convicted of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, making him a felon. As a felon, he cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

Coleman will be sentenced on Oct. 10 to a maximum of 15 years in prison. According to the office, actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than such maximum penalties. Coleman’s sentence will be at the discretion of a federal district court judge.

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