WILMINGTON, DE – James Richard Smith III, a 46-year-old Wilmington resident, will spend over eleven years in federal prison after a jury convicted him last August of drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Chief U.S. District Judge Colm F. Connolly handed down the 135-month sentence on Monday, a punishment reflecting the gravity of Smith’s crimes and the danger he posed to the community.
The evidence presented at trial painted a clear picture of Smith as a brazen drug dealer. Delaware State Police undercover officers were able to purchase cocaine and methamphetamine from Smith on multiple occasions in November 2019. But the most damning transaction involved more than just drugs: Smith knowingly sold the undercover officer a stolen semi-automatic rifle. He wasn’t shy about his operation either, boasting to the officer he could source any narcotics requested.
The final deal sealed Smith’s fate. On one occasion, he peddled over 50 grams of methamphetamine to the officer, triggering a mandatory minimum ten-year sentence under federal law. Prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Briana Knox and Samuel Frey, successfully argued that Smith’s actions demonstrated a callous disregard for public safety, combining the deadly combination of drug distribution and readily available firearms.
“The combination of trafficking illegal drugs while possessing firearms is doubly dangerous,” stated U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss for the District of Delaware. “My office is committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to combat illegal drug distribution and firearm possession within our communities. This case is a testament to the multiple law enforcement agencies who tirelessly investigated this case to ensure Mr. Smith was brought to justice.”
The investigation was a joint effort between the Delaware State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The agencies worked for years to build a case against Smith, tracking his movements and gathering crucial evidence for the trial. The ATF’s Baltimore Field Division played a key role in the investigation.
Smith’s conviction and sentencing serve as a stark warning to those involved in similar criminal activity. Court documents related to the case, including Case No. 20-cr-26, are available on the District Court of Delaware website and through PACER. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware also has a press release detailing the sentencing on their website.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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