United States of America v. Anthony Smith

Lafayette, Louisiana, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841.

Anthony Smith, age 54, of Pensacola was accused of engaging in a conspiracy to distribute drugs.

Federal agents began investigating a Louisiana-based drug trafficking network in May of 2023. Agents identified a primary supplier and several associates who were using a storage facility in Lafayette to stash their illicit drug supply. Investigators monitored the organization and intercepted communications revealing that narcotics were being prepared for distribution to members of the network, including Smith.

On November 29, 2023, agents observed a member of the network retrieve drugs from the storage facility and transport them to two other co-conspirators. Those associates then traveled to a gas station, at which time Smith arrived in his vehicle, putting him squarely in the center of the distribution scheme. Agents then witnessed one associate place a bag containing a shoebox into Smith’s vehicle, before the group dispersed. Later, Smith was stopped by law enforcement, and a search of his vehicle revealed two kilograms of cocaine concealed inside the shoebox. Smith admitted that he had traveled from Florida for the purpose of obtaining and transporting narcotics in furtherance of the conspiracy. He also acknowledged that he had knowingly joined the drug trafficking network and fully understood its illegal purpose.

Defendant sentenced to 72 months imprisonment; upon release from imprisonment, supervised release for a term of 5 years with conditions; $100 Special Assessment