Salinas Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison For Distribution Of Methamphetamine

SAN JOSE – Gregory Smith, aka “OG Nutty” and “GNutty,” was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.  U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman handed down the sentence.

Smith, 54, who previously resided in Salinas, was originally charged by complaint on Nov. 1, 2021, as part of an illegal firearms crackdown that led to charges being filed against multiple defendants in South Bay counties, and subsequently by a one-count information on Sept. 8, 2022.  

On April 9, 2024, he pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  According to court documents and the plea agreement, on Feb. 10, 2021, Smith sold approximately 41.8 grams of methamphetamine and a privately manufactured pistol, also known as a “ghost gun,” to an individual in Salinas for $1,425.  The following week, on Feb. 17, 2021, Smith sold approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine to the same individual in Salinas.

In its sentencing memorandum, the government argued that Smith’s conduct presented a danger to the community and noted his estimated 54 prior parole violations.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Freeman also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment.  Smith was immediately remanded back into custody to begin serving his sentence.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Neal C. Hong prosecuted the case with the assistance of Sahib Kaur.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the ATF, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Investigative Unit, the Salinas Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol.