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10-year federal sentence for former MPD officer who pleaded guilty in drug corruption case

Daniel Connolly
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Memphis police officers Terrion Bryson (left) and Kevin Coleman arrested April 13, 2018  on drug charges.

A federal judge has sentenced a former Memphis Police Department officer to 10 years in prison in a drug-related on-duty corruption case.

The former officer, Kevin Coleman, had pleaded guilty in August to drug conspiracy and two counts of official extortion. A second officer, Terrion Bryson, pleaded guilty in the same case early this month and awaits sentencing.

Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. imposed the prison sentence against Coleman on Monday. Coleman will face five years of probation once he's released. Fowlkes also recommended a 500-hour drug program and that Coleman serve his sentence in or close to Niceville, Florida.

In April, officials said both officers had been investigated by MPD's Organized Crime Unit and the FBI's Tarnished Blue task force following allegations that they were stealing drugs and money during traffic stops. 

Investigators set up a sting operation to catch them. Coleman is accused of using his police powers during two traffic stops in March to rob two people he believed were drug dealers. In reality, both were undercover officers. Coleman is accused of stealing $5,000 in the first traffic stop, and $8,000 in the second, according to the federal prosecutor's office.

Then in April, Coleman and Bryson worked with someone they believed was a drug dealer and agreed to escort transportation of about 2.5 kilograms of heroin to a storage facility in Memphis.

The prosecutor's office says Coleman was on duty and in his squad car at the time of the escort, and that Bryson accompanied the driver, an undercover MPD officer, in the car with the heroin.

The authorities accused the officers of taking a cash payment in exchange for their work. The officers were arrested shortly thereafter.

On Nov. 1, Bryson pleaded guilty in federal court to taking part in a drug conspiracy — helping escort the heroin shipment — and carrying a gun while committing a drug crime. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 7. 

The sentence against Coleman was announced by U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant. “Official misconduct and corruption by law enforcement officers strikes at the very heart of the criminal justice system, and damages the trust and confidence of citizens in proper police authority," he said in a statement.

The statement also comments from Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings.

“Former officer Coleman swore to be a public servant and abide by the law. He has pled to some very despicable charges," Rallings said.

"His actions are contrary to the dedication and sacrifice of the men and women of who loyally serve the citizens of this city. As director, I will take swift action to remove anyone who fails to adhere to and uphold the high standards set forth in our law enforcement code of ethics." 
