Red light violation leads to drug and weapons charge against Ottumwa man

Hunter
07/13/22

A traffic violation has led to criminal charges against an Ottumway man.

Coralville Police made a traffic stop on 21-year old  D’Anthony Coleman after he ran a red light on Coral Ridge Avenue at 2nd Street Tuesday night. He allegedly admitted to officers that his driving status was barred and was unable to  provide proof of insurance. Police verified Coleman’s driving status to be barred as an habitual offender through October 26th and suspended for failure to pay fines.

An odor of marijuana was allegedly detected, and Coleman reportedly produced a bag of a green leafy substance. He was asked to step out of the vehicle and walk to the front of a squad car. He instead fled officers on foot.

Coleman was apprehended in a nearby parking lot, and allegedly admitted to running because he had a firearm in his vehicle. The firearm and two magazines loaded with 45mm ammunition were then discovered. Coleman was convicted of a Controlled Substance felony this past October and thus unable to legally possess a gun.

Coleman was arrested and charged with Driving While Barred, Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Felon, Marijuana possession, and Interference with Official Acts. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to over eight years in prison.