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Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Michael Smith, also known as “Bum Jew,” a high-ranking member of the Nine Trey Bloods street gang, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joseph F. Bianco to 20 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, his participation in two shootings and possessing a firearm. Smith had previously pleaded guilty on November 9, 2015.
Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.
“With today’s sentence, Smith has been held accountable for his ruthless conduct and for profiting from the human misery he perpetuated in Suffolk County by supplying crack to other Bloods gang members for re-sale as well as directly to addicts himself,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “This Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle violent street gangs in our communities.” Mr. Donoghue expressed his gratitude to the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force for their outstanding work on the case.
“Michael Smith plagued Suffolk County with his distribution of this deadly drug to fellow dealers, gang members, and addicts,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “As if drug dealing wasn’t enough of a threat to the community, Smith then compounded this with his violent activity; involving himself in multiple shootings. Today’s sentencing not only brings Smith to justice, but also helps keep our community safe.”
According to court filings and statements made during the guilty plea, between January 2008 and January 2014, Smith utilized his leadership position within the Bloods to purchase, process and distribute kilograms of cocaine base in Suffolk County. Smith sold narcotics to distribution-level drug dealers, some of whom were other Bloods gang members, and directly to drug users. When distributing narcotics, Smith was typically armed with a gun.
On November 24, 2011, Smith engaged in a verbal dispute with one of his drug suppliers in front of a bar in Patchogue. During the dispute, Smith shot the supplier in the chest. On June 16, 2013, Smith and several fellow Bloods members drove to a home in Central Islip, where they confronted another Bloods member about his role in a prior shooting. During the confrontation, Smith displayed a firearm and pointed it at the intended victim. When a bystander restrained Smith, pointing out that there were many women and children present, Smith ordered a Bloods member to shoot the other Bloods member. Both shooting victims survived their wounds.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher C. Caffarone and Mark E. Misorek are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant
MICHAEL SMITH (also known as “Bum Jew”)
Age: 33
Residence: Mastic, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 14-CR-485 (S-3) (JFB)
John Marzulli
Tyler Daniels
United States Attorney’s Office
(718) 254-6323