HARRISBURG, PA — Craig Coleman, a Philadelphia man with prior sex offense convictions, has been sentenced to 18 to 36 years in prison for felony sexual abuse of children involving child sexual abuse material, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced.
On Thursday, a Philadelphia County Judge imposed the sentence after Coleman pleaded guilty, also classifying him as a “sexually violent predator.” This designation requires Coleman to register as a sex offender for life.
“This predator is a potential danger to every child in his proximity,” said Attorney General Sunday. “He has proven time and time again that he will not be deterred from targeting and harming children—even while on parole or bail conditions.”
The charges against Coleman originated in 2023 when he was on parole for a 2017 conviction of manufacturing child pornography and statutory sexual assault. While awaiting trial for the 2023 charges, Coleman allegedly committed additional crimes, which have led to new accusations, including human trafficking, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, and manufacturing child pornography.
According to investigators, Coleman contacted a minor online in February, became aware of her age, and sexually abused her repeatedly. He reportedly paid the victim, recorded some of the acts, and attempted to intimidate her into withholding cooperation with law enforcement.
A pretrial hearing for these additional charges is set for July 22.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Michelle Laucella from the Child Predator Section is prosecuting the case. Attorney General Sunday reiterated his commitment to protecting children and ensuring offenders face justice, stating, “One of my core missions as Attorney General is to protect children, and our Child Predator Section will continue with proactive investigations to stop offenders.”
Coleman’s new charges are now part of ongoing legal proceedings, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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