North Carolina Man Convicted of Multi-State Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted an Edenton, North Carolina man yesterday on charges of conspiring with others to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it, and distributing cocaine.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Trezith Smart, 40, who maintained residences in Newport News and Edenton, would travel to Houston, Texas to obtain multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine and return to Newport News and Edenton, where the cocaine would be distributed. In 2017, Smart was stopped for speeding by the Louisiana State Police with five kilograms of cocaine. After posting bond, Smart returned to Newport News and continued his cocaine trafficking activities. In May 2018, Smart sold cocaine to a middleman, who then sold the drug to an undercover law enforcement cooperator. Then in August 2018, Smart was stopped and arrested by the Newport News Police Department with an ounce of cocaine and more than $15,000 in cash. When he was ultimately detained in November 2018, Smart confessed to distributing more than 500 kilograms of cocaine between 2015 and 2018.

Smart was convicted of conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and distribution of cocaine, and he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment when sentenced on March 15, 2022. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge David J. Novak accepted the verdict.

This investigation was conducted by the DEA Hampton Post of Duty and significant assistance was provided by the Newport News Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric M. Hurt and Devon Heath are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:18-cr-95.