A Leesburg man is headed to federal prison for half a decade after a run-in with federal agents involving the sale of a firearm. Gregory Coleman III, 29, was sentenced to five years by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber in an Ocala courtroom, ending a legal saga that began with a controlled buy in late 2023.
The sentencing comes after Coleman entered a guilty plea on July 21, 2025, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the decision this week, noting the strict federal prohibitions that prevent individuals with felony records from owning or handling weapons and ammunition.
Court documents paint a picture of Coleman’s extensive history with the law, citing four previous state felony convictions. These prior offenses include aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, fleeing or eluding police, and cocaine possession.
Under federal law, these convictions stripped Coleman of his right to bear arms.
The specific incident that led to this federal sentence occurred on November 4, 2023. According to investigators, Coleman sold a firearm to a confidential source who was secretly working with federal agents.
During that exchange, Coleman reportedly told the source that he was in possession of other firearms but intended to keep them for his own use.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Eustis Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson handled the prosecution.
READ: Fake Sheriff Scam Ends In Florida With 27-Months In Federal Prison For Georgia Man
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
