COLEMAN, FL – A federal inmate serving time for a drug conviction was fatally shot by prison staff at a high-security facility northwest of Orlando, marking an exceptionally rare use of deadly force inside a federal penitentiary.
Dwayne “DJ” Tottleben, 33, an Illinois resident serving a 15-year sentence for methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute, was killed on October 10 at U.S. Penitentiary Coleman I. The precise circumstances that led to the shooting remain unclear, and officials have provided limited information due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Tottleben’s family reported speaking with him that morning and said he was “in a good mood” with no signs of distress or indication of trouble. The sudden and violent end to his life has left his relatives demanding answers about what transpired inside the facility.
Following the incident, Coleman I was placed on “enhanced modified operations,” with visitation suspended indefinitely. Prison officials have declined to disclose what precipitated the shooting, citing the shutdown that has prevented Bureau of Prisons officials from responding to media inquiries.
A retired Bureau of Prisons officer familiar with the facility noted that gunfire at Coleman I is exceptionally rare. According to the former officer, there has been only one other documented incident of shots fired at the facility in the past 15 years, underscoring how unusual this type of deadly force is within federal prisons.
Federal Bureau of Prisons policy strictly limits the use of firearms by correctional staff. Weapons are typically restricted to specific situations such as inmate transport, escape attempts, or when an officer believes an inmate poses “imminent danger of death or serious physical injury” to others. The use of deadly force is considered a last resort.
Corrections experts emphasize that shooting an inmate inside a secure facility is extraordinarily uncommon. Most situations that escalate to violence are handled through non-lethal means, including physical restraint, chemical agents, or less-lethal weapons. The decision to use a firearm suggests an extreme and immediate threat.
Tottleben’s family has initiated legal action against the Bureau of Prisons and launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal expenses. They are demanding “full disclosure and accountability” from prison officials regarding the circumstances of his death, including what threat he allegedly posed that warranted the use of lethal force.
The family’s attorney has requested all documentation related to the incident, including surveillance footage, witness statements, and the official use-of-force report. Federal regulations require thorough investigations any time a weapon is discharged inside a facility, but the ongoing government shutdown has complicated the process.
The shooting has raised questions about transparency and oversight within the federal prison system. While officials say deadly force was necessary, the lack of detailed information has fueled concerns about whether proper protocols were followed and whether less extreme measures could have resolved the situation.
