Shotgun Wielding Carjacker Sentenced For East Side Incident

EUCLID, OH — A short-barreled shotgun was fired during a carjacking in August 2017. Now the wielder of that shotgun has been sentenced to 191 months (or 16 years) in prison.

Cleveland's Cody Coats, 25, was found guilty of carjacking and firing a gun during a violent crime. He used an Ithaca short-barreled shotgun during a carjacking on August 14, 2017. He fired his gun and stole a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire from someone outside a Euclid bar.

The joyride in the stolen car didn't last long. Coats crashed the Chrysler on E. 222nd Street, near Lakeshore Boulevard, while being chased by police. He was then taken into custody, according to court documents.

“The defendant earned this sentence when he fired a shotgun while carjacking the victim,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “Those who use firearms to commit crimes put us all at risk. The Euclid Police Department and ATF did a tremendous job bringing this person to justice.”

U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver sentenced him to prison this month. The investigation into the 25-year-old was led by the ATF and Euclid Police Department.

“We are pleased that the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopted this case,” Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer said. “The officers and detectives of the Euclid Police Department did an outstanding job with the apprehension and investigation. We must all work together to send the message that violent crime will not be tolerated in our communities.”

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