Holly MatkinKenton County, KY – A leader of the anti-police movement in Milwaukee was convicted of first-degree robbery in Kentucky late last week.
People’s Revolution leader Khalil Coleman, 36, began organizing marches in Milwaukee in 2020 in the wake of the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Wisconsin Right Now reported at the time.
Local police described the demonstrations as “increasingly disorderly, agitated, and at times, violent,” according to WITI.
According to court documents, Coleman was arrested by Elsmere police in February of 2021 amid accusations that he was involved in the attempted robbery of a drug house, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
Investigators said Coleman pressured a 17-year-old male into participating in the robbery attempt, to include handing him a Glock handgun and ordering him to “go get that money,” Wisconsin Right Now reported.
According to court documents, the teen “pointed a loaded Glock pistol at the victim and stated, ‘We got business to talk about and to get in the house,’” police said.
Elsmere Police Chief Joe Maier later said the weapon the teen used was equipped with a 50-round magazine drum, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
That’s when the victim ran into the house, shut the door, and held it closed while calling 911.
Elsmere Police Detective Eric Higgins said Coleman and his crew of robbers “went to the wrong house,” Wisconsin Right Now reported.
They fled the scene, but later “tried coming back to do a second attempt to do robbery,” Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders told the news outlet.
They tried to flee again when they spotted a police vehicle, but only made it a couple blocks before they ended up getting boxed in by a snowplow, according to the prosecutor.
Det. Higgins said Coleman was behind the wheel of the getaway car that day, Wisconsin Right Now reported.
Another accomplice, 24-year-old Joshua Clarey, was sitting in the front passenger seat, according to police.
“Investigators said they found guns, marijuana, and a baggie of suspected heroin inside the car, Wisconsin Right Now reported.
Coleman was convicted of first-degree robbery on April 8.
The jury was not convinced Coleman was aware that the juvenile he pulled into the botched attack was only 17, so they found him not guilty on the unlawful transaction with a minor charge, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
Coleman now faces up to 20 years in prison.
The jury recommended he be sentenced to 10 years behind bars.
Sanders said prosecutors presented overwhelming evidence proving Coleman was the mastermind behind the attempted robbery and that he participated in the attack, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Investigators said Coleman also has ties to the Gangster Disciples gang, Wisconsin Right Now reported.
His sentencing date has not been set, according to the Associated Press.
Clarey, who refused to testify against Coleman, was convicted of unlawful transaction with a minor and second-degree robbery, Wisconsin Right Now reported.
He is expected to be sentenced to 15 years in prison, but will be eligible for early release after just three years.
“I hope anyone else inclined to visit Kentucky takes note. We still prosecute criminals down here,” Sanders told Wisconsin Right Now.
