Kindell Smith, Narcotics Distribution, Ohio 2022

Kindell Smith, a 32-year-old Cleveland resident and member of the notorious 8Ave street gang, has been convicted of a string of serious crimes, including narcotics distribution and illegal firearm possession.

Smith was found guilty by a federal jury on Monday, July 11, 2022, of participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers with the Southeast Area Law Enforcement (SEALE) began investigating Smith on April 14, 2020, following suspected drug trafficking activities. The investigation led authorities to encounter Smith distributing fentanyl and cocaine near the 3200 block of Central Avenue in Cleveland.

Just a few weeks later, on May 19, 2020, authorities again encountered Smith, this time with codefendants Darrell Douglas and Dreshawn Maddox, who have both been convicted and sentenced at a prior date, distributing heroin from a vehicle. When law enforcement approached the vehicle, Smith attempted to hide a firearm under the driver’s seat, which was later recovered along with various amounts of fentanyl and crack cocaine.

Smith’s history of previous convictions, including drug trafficking and felonious assault in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, prohibits him from possessing a firearm. He is now facing a maximum possible sentence of 25 years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Cleveland Division of Police, and the Southeast Area Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Payum Doroodian and Robert F. Corts prosecuted the case.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on October 25, 2022. With his conviction and impending sentencing, Smith’s future looks bleak, and it remains to be seen how long he will spend behind bars for his crimes.

As a member of the 8Ave street gang, Smith’s actions are a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of gang violence and narcotics distribution in Cleveland’s 5th District. This case serves as a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies in the city, who continue to work tirelessly to keep their communities safe.

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