Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Derrick Coleman (41, New Port Richey) guilty of bank robbery. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Coleman was indicted on August 28, 2019.
According to testimony presented at trial, on June 30, 2018, Coleman visited a Chase Bank in Tarpon Springs and spoke to a teller about opening a new account. As the teller explained the process, Coleman placed a bag on the counter, told the teller that he had a gun, and demanded money from the teller. The teller complied and Coleman fled the bank with $5,000. The teller later identified Coleman in a photo lineup.
On that same day, Coleman told his then-girlfriend, who later testified during the trial, about the robbery. He told her that he had gotten $5,000 from the robbery. That detail of the robbery was never released to the public.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tarpon Springs Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN) — a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety-one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
