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A Houston man, Orlando Coleman, has been sentenced to three years in prison for committing bigamy just two months after being put on probation for the same offense. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the sentencing, stating, "At the heart of this repeat offender’s schemes was a plan to defraud women and take advantage of them for financial gain."
Coleman, who portrayed himself as a bishop traveling to churches across the country, was found to have married at least 10 women in different states. Assistant District Attorney Vanessa Goussen, who prosecuted Coleman, highlighted that his victims described him as a con man who married them for personal gain.
Goussen advised the public, "Run a background check, if possible, or try searching their name on the internet, look at their social media, and ask a lot of questions." She emphasized the importance of verifying individuals' backgrounds to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
The case against Coleman began when a Houston woman discovered he was married to another woman in Virginia while still married to her. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office investigated the matter, leading to bigamy charges being filed against Coleman.
After pleading guilty to bigamy in July 2023 and receiving deferred adjudication probation, Coleman violated the terms by marrying a woman in Kentucky. As a result, a judge revoked his probation and sentenced him to three years in prison during a hearing on March 11.
Goussen expressed the significance of Coleman's imprisonment for his victims, as he had exploited their trust and manipulated them for personal gain under false pretenses.