A Duluth man was sentenced to nearly 18 years in prison Friday for sexually assaulting a minor, false imprisonment and burglary during a Lincoln Park home invasion in March.
Christian Hamzah Coleman, 19, was found guilty earlier this year of three counts of aiding and abetting first-degree burglary, one count of aiding and abetting first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of false imprisonment.
In the early morning hours on March 13, Coleman and two others invaded the residence on the 600 block of Atlantic Avenue in search of marijuana, though Coleman testified in July that it was his idea to break into the residence in search of drugs.
The home invaders demanded a woman, her boyfriend and three children give them money and marijuana, authorities said. The family was also forced to sit on a couch at gunpoint, and at least two were pistol-whipped.
The men did not find marijuana, but left with phones, a wallet and a TV, authorities said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Coleman also testified in July that an accomplice took a female minor downstairs, were the male forced her to perform oral sex. After going downstairs to check on them, Coleman testified that he then forced her to as well, though he claimed the other male ordered him to do so at gunpoint.
One of the victims attended the sentencing and spoke about the sense of safety her family has lost since the invasion.
"I always taught my kids that no matter what's going on in the world, they can always come home and be safe," she said. "He took that away from them. … He hurt my daughter in a way I can't explain."
The mother was struck over the head with what was believed to be a pistol.
St. Louis County prosecutor Vicky Wanta asked for a 229-month sentence.
"They woke up each member and terrorized them," Wanta said. "The three kids in the house were forced to watch their protectors, their parents, become completely helpless at the hands of Mr. Coleman."
Coleman provided remarks in which he apologized for the harm his actions caused. While acknowledging his words might seem "hollow" and "meaningless," he said they were not.
"I was associated and hanging with the wrong crowd," Coleman said. "If I could go back and do anything different, it would be the night these terrible things happened to this family."
ADVERTISEMENT
Sixth Judicial District Judge Shaun Floerke gave the sentence after a moment of consideration for both the victims and defendant.
"Here's where I'm at," Floerke said. "I have a 19-year-old son, and I have a 16-year-old daughter."
Ultimately, Floerke sentenced Coleman to 172 months for the sexual conduct as well as sentences for burglary and for false imprisonment to be served concurrently for 48 months, for a total of 220 months.
Coleman has 171 days of credit for his time in the Saint Louis County Jail.
Restitution for the victims will remain open for 60 days.
