Camden Man Found Guilty of Weapon Possession Charge

By Alicia Cruz
The New Jersey Newsroom

A Camden man arrested in 2009 for carrying a loaded weapon was found guilty Wednesday of illegal possession of a loaded handgun by a federal jury following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle.

Shawn Coleman was found guilty on the sole count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, said U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman.

Lindenwood police happened upon the 36-year-old man after receiving a citizen complaint at the Pine Ridge Apartments on November 5, 2009. When the officers arrived, they found Coleman asleep in the front seat of an SUV with its engine running and headlights on.

Sig Sauer Model P229 .40 caliber

After entering the car to check on the defendant, responding officers observed a Sig Sauer Model P229 .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, similar to the one pictured to the left sitting in the open center console of the vehicle. The gun's serial number had been obliterated and it was loaded.

When Coleman is sentenced January 6, 2012, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a
$250,000 fine.