CLEVELAND, OH – Kindell Smith, 32, of Cleveland, is headed to federal prison for more than a decade after being convicted of peddling fentanyl and crack cocaine while illegally carrying a firearm. U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker handed down a 146-month sentence today, slamming the door on Smith’s criminal enterprise.
Smith, identified as a member of the notorious “8Ave” street gang operating in Cleveland’s 5th District, was initially flagged by the Southeast Area Law Enforcement (SEALE) task force in April 2020. Investigators quickly confirmed suspicions, observing Smith openly distributing narcotics near the 3200 block of Central Avenue. This wasn’t a back-alley transaction; Smith was brazenly moving poison in broad daylight.
The situation escalated dramatically on May 19, 2020. While distributing fentanyl alongside codefendants Darrell Douglas and Dreshawn Maddox – both of whom have already faced justice – Smith attempted to flee a law enforcement encounter. He gunned the vehicle, slamming into a police cruiser before officers could intervene. The reckless maneuver didn’t deter Smith from attempting to conceal a loaded firearm under the driver’s seat.
The recovered firearm is particularly damning. Court records reveal Smith is already a prohibited person, with prior convictions for both drug trafficking and felonious assault in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. This wasn’t a first offense; it was a calculated risk by a repeat offender who clearly disregarded the law. Authorities seized both the gun and significant quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine from the vehicle.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Payum Doroodian and Robert F. Corts successfully prosecuted the case, built on the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Cleveland Division of Police, and the SEALE task force. The lengthy sentence sends a clear message: Cleveland’s streets will not be a safe haven for drug dealers and those who arm themselves with illegal weapons.
The 8Ave gang continues to be a focus of law enforcement attention in Cleveland. This conviction, while significant, represents only one piece of a larger puzzle. Grimy Times will continue to follow the developments as authorities work to dismantle the entire criminal network and bring all responsible parties to justice. The investigation is ongoing.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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