Coleman had never worked undercover before moving to Tulia. In fact, he had been fired from his previous law enforcement position. His previous supervisor warned Swisher County (Tulia) officials that he may have mental illness and be unfit for police work. Additionally, Coleman left town after settling nearly $7,000 in debts to various local merchants. As a result, he was arrested for abuse of power and theft, a separate charge for stealing gas. These charges took place while he was undercover in Tulia, but he was not suspended from the investigation. However, public defenders did not present this information to juries. Ultimately, Coleman was convicted of perjury and fired from a subsequent job at another police department after having sex with his criminal informant, a drug addict.