MALCOLM ENLO SMITH, 44, of Kelso, Washington, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. This felony offense is punishable by not less than 5 years and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $2,000,000 fine, and up to 4 years of supervised release.

On August 18, 2008, SMITH was stopped by officers of the Kelso Police Department while driving a 1997 Chrysler Sebring in Cowlitz County. A search warrant was obtained to search the vehicle. During a search of the trunk, officers recovered six plastic bags of methamphetamine packaged for distribution. Four of the bags contained quarter pound quantities of methamphetamine, and the remaining bags contained an approximate ounce, and one-half ounce, quantity. Between 450 and 500 grams of methamphetamine were recovered, along with $4,100 cash, packaging materials, and a digital scale. SMITH intended to sell and distribute the drugs.

In pleading guilty, SMITH also agreed to an upward adjustment in his sentencing score for obstruction of justice, as a result of an altercation which he had with a prospective witness against him in a related criminal case, during which he attempted to influence and impede the testimony of that witness.

A total of $14,100 cash was forfeited from SMITH in connection with these proceedings: $4,100 cash recovered from his vehicle at the time of his arrest, and $10,000 cash recovered during a search of his residence in Kelso, Washington.

SMITH is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton on January 23, 2009.

This case was investigated by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Narcotics Task Force, the Kelso Police Department, and the Longview Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald J. Friedman.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.

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