Donte Jamar Smith, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Nevada 2020

Reno, Nevada - In a shocking turn of events, 41-year-old Donte Jamar Smith pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm in a federal court. The case, which has raised concerns about public safety, highlights the dangers of allowing felons to possess firearms.

According to court documents, Reno Police officers encountered Smith on July 27, 2019, asleep inside a running vehicle in a travel lane and smelling of alcohol. Upon exiting the vehicle, Smith became noncompliant with officers and during a search of his pants pocket, he was found in possession of a stolen .380 caliber semi-automatic firearm.

Smith falsely informed the officers that he had been issued a concealed weapon permit. However, this was a blatant lie, as he had previously sustained three felony convictions in Clark County for offenses including Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, Burglary with use of a Deadly Weapon, and Ex-Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

As Smith was escorted to a patrol vehicle, he attempted to flee on foot but was tackled and subdued. The case was the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Rachow is prosecuting the case.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda Du on February 24, 2020. Smith faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. The program was reinvigorated in 2017 as part of a renewed focus on targeting violent criminals.

The public is reminded that Donte Jamar Smith is a convicted felon, and his possession of a firearm is a serious offense. The community can rest assured that law enforcement is working tirelessly to keep our neighborhoods safe.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/felon-pleads-guilty-unlawful-possession-firearm