A Mesa man who was apprehended in Georgia after fleeing Arizona before his trial was sentenced to 15.75 years in prison after being convicted of drug and weapons charges.
Calvin Coleman was indicted in December 2023 after a shipment destined for Mesa was discovered to contain roughly 4.8 pounds of fentanyl pills, according to a release from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
Coleman was recognized by investigators as the individual responsible for both delivering and receiving illegal drugs. When investigators conducted a search warrant at Coleman’s residence, they discovered many weapons, fentanyl pills concealed in a baby formula container, dozens of prescription narcotics (including oxycodone), cocaine, and a scale, officials said.
“Investigators also located recordings taken from Coleman’s bedroom which captured Coleman engaging in drug deals and displaying weapons in violation of the law,” the release stated.
Coleman was armed with an AR rifle, a Smith & Wesson handgun, an FN59 handgun, an ASAR 9mm handgun, and a Gforce Arms shotgun, according to officials.
Coleman fled Arizona before the trial, and the proceedings continued without him. On April 3, a Maricopa County Superior Court jury convicted Coleman of conspiracy, transportation of narcotic drugs for sale, possession of narcotic drugs for sale, possession of a hazardous substance, possession of a narcotic drug, and five counts of firearms misconduct.
Coleman was caught in Georgia and extradited to Arizona for sentencing. He was condemned on August 8.