Lynchburg Man Sentenced to More Than 23 Years on Fentanyl and Firearms Charges

LYNCHBURG, Va. - A Lynchburg man, who distributed thousands of fentanyl pills, pounds of methamphetamine, and kilograms of cocaine, among other drugs, while possessing a firearm, was sentenced to 280 months in federal prison.

This investigation was brought as part of the revamped Project Safe Neighborhoods, a combined law enforcement initiative that aims to provide a rapid response to violent crime, conduct strategic federal, state, local, and tribal partnerships, and increase accountability and deterrence to promote public safety.

John Coleman, III, 35, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, and more than a half kilo of cocaine, one count of distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, one count of distributing more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and one count of using a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes.

"This office will aggressively target fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine traffickers in the Western District of Virginia," First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. "I commend the outstanding work of our DEA partners for their outstanding work on this."

"This sentence is a true testament of the efforts made by federal, local, and state law enforcement agencies to combat violent and unscrupulous criminals who endanger our communities and affect the quality of life in our neighborhoods. We will not rest until we arrest and prosecute all of them. The communities belong to our people, not to the criminals," commented Christopher Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Washington Division.

According to court documents, in 2024, Coleman was known to law enforcement as someone who sold marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine while possessing firearms. As a result, officers performed several controlled purchases of ounces of methamphetamine from Coleman in June and July 2024. Subsequently, Coleman was stopped by law enforcement after making a trip to Atlanta, Georgia to pick-up drugs. At the time of the traffic stop, Coleman was found to be in possession of 23 pounds of marijuana and a firearm. At that time, he was arrested and released on bond.

However, he continued to sell narcotics and law enforcement continued to investigate.

On September 30, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Coleman's residence and found $47,711 in cash, an additional firearm, 1,004 grams of cocaine, 118 grams of fentanyl, approximately, 40 grams of Oxycodone, and almost 20 grams of MDMA.

First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Christopher Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Washington Division made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Lynchburg Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Welsh is prosecuting the case.