Date: 09-22-2016

Case Style: United States of America v. Deshawn M. Smith

Case Number: 2:14-cr-00127-ALM

Judge: Algenon L. Marbley

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (Franklin County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: David DeVillers, Brian Martinez and Jimmy Lowe,Kevin Kelly

Defendant's Attorney: Greg Peterson and Zach Swisher

Description: Columbus, OH - Columbus Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Rackteering Conspiracy, Including Zanesville Murder

Deshawn M. Smith, 29, of Columbus, Ohio pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy in connection with a case involving the organized criminal enterprise known as the Short North Posse.

As part of his plea, he took responsibility for one previously unsolved murder, Shane McCuen on March 11, 2008 in Zanesville.

Smith’s plea contains a sentencing range of at least 30 and up to 35 years in prison.

A total of 20 individuals were indicted in the racketeering case with charges that included murders, attempted murders, drug trafficking, weapons offenses, witness tampering, extortion and robbery.

A United States District Court jury convicted five co-defendants of racketeering and murder in June. After a two-month trial, the group of defendants was convicted on all counts, which accounted for 10 of 14 previously unsolved murders. The trial for the final defendant is scheduled for November 28.

Acting U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the two-year investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, Columbus Police, Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott’s Office, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien’s Office, Fairfield County Prosecutor Gregg Marx, Licking County Prosecutor Kenneth Oswalt, Muskingum County Prosecutor D. Michael Haddox, Ross County Prosecutor Matthew S. Schmidt, law enforcement leaders from those counties, officials of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

Outcome: Guilty

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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