Pubdate: Fri, 23 Feb 2007
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2007 Detroit Free Press
Contact:  http://www.freep.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125
Author: David Ashenfelter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

DRUG DEALER GETS 30 YEARS IN FENTANYL CASE

A 37-year-old Detroit man who sold the fentanyl-laced heroin that 
killed a Birmingham high school junior and a Madison Heights man last 
May was sentenced Thursday to 30 1/2 years in prison.

The sentence imposed on James E. Coleman by U.S. District Judge 
Lawrence Zatkoff was at the top of the federal sentencing guidelines.

Coleman -- accused of selling the drugs that killed 17-year-old 
Lauren Jolly and 30-year-old Daniel McElmurry -- pleaded guilty in 
November to avoid a possible life sentence.

Coleman's lawyer, former Detroit police narcotics unit Cmdr. Warren 
Harris, urged Zatkoff to show leniency, saying Coleman had no idea 
that the drugs he sold contained fentanyl.

Fentanyl has been blamed for more than 100 deaths in metro Detroit 
since late 2005.

"I think the sentence was too severe," Harris said after the 
10-minute hearing. Harris said Coleman grew up in a drug-infested 
neighborhood, was introduced to drug trafficking by family members 
and, despite prior drug convictions, wasn't a violent predator.

"He's not the villain who was the source of all of the fentanyl 
problem, and putting him away will not solve the fentanyl problem," 
Harris said. "In the total scheme of things, James Coleman is a small fry."

Detroit Drug Enforcement Administration Chief Robert Corso said, 
"Today's sentencing reflects a substantial sentence for a substantial 
violator" and should send a message to Detroit-area drug dealers.

Jolly's mother, Beth Jolly, declined to comment.

Jolly, a student at Birmingham Groves, and McElmurry bought drugs 
from Coleman's drug house in Detroit.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman