Press Releases
KENNER MAN SENTENCE TO 25 YEARS
IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR MURDER-FOR-HIRE
PLOT AND DRUG CHARGES
June 27, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEVAUGHAN SMITH a/k/a “Devaughn Smith” a/k/a “Devaughn S. Smith”, age 32, a resident of Kenner, Louisiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Barbier to 300 months imprisonment for distribution of less than five(5) grams of cocaine base (crack”) and a current sentence of 120 months for murder-for-hire, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Barbier imposed six (6) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment. During the six-year term, the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.
On March 21, 2007, a federal jury sitting in New Orleans convicted SMITH after a 2 day trial. Specifically, SMITH was charged in a superseding indictment with distribution of less than five(5) grams of cocaine base (“crack”) and Murder-for-Hire. The jury found defendant SMITH guilty as to each of the two (2) counts charged. As to the crack cocaine count, SMITH received a sentence of 300 months imprisonment.
As to the Murder-for-Hire charge, the jury unanimously found that SMITH used and caused someone to use a cellular telephone with the intent that a murder be committed in violation of the laws of Louisiana. SMITH intended to make payment for the murder in the form of cocaine base (“crack”). SMITH wished to have one of his drug associates murdered after SMITH’S August 29, 2006 release from Jefferson Parish lock-up. An associate of SMITH, who was approached by SMITH to commit the murder, contacted the FBI. SMITH’s associate the worked in an undercover capacity and recorded conversations in which SMITH discussed the murder-for-hire plot. SMITH, therefore, received a concurrent sentence of 120 months imprisonment.
SMITH is a career offender and the Court imposed a sentence within the recommended guidelines range. After sentencing, SMITH was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal’s service to begin his term of imprisonment.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the Kenner Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys, Duane A. Evans and Steven I. Loew.
