Smith Gets 10 Years for Stolen Gun Stash

SEATTLE, WA – Donovan Smith, 43, is headed back to prison for a decade after a federal judge sentenced him to ten years for possessing stolen firearms. The conviction stems from a bizarre incident involving a disabled motorcycle on Interstate 5 and a subsequent investigation that uncovered a cache of eleven guns, many snatched from homes in Texas and Washington. U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan announced the sentencing today, a victory for investigators who linked Smith to a string of residential burglaries.

The trouble began May 17, 2012, when a man’s 1996 motorcycle broke down on I-5 near Seattle. While seeking assistance, he returned to find his bike moved half a mile and Smith attempting to pry off the gas cap with a crowbar. The ignition was hanging by a thread. A quick 9-1-1 call brought the Washington State Patrol, leading to Smith’s arrest alongside a female accomplice. A search of Smith’s vehicle revealed the initial discovery of eleven firearms.

But the guns were just the beginning. A search of Smith’s Shoreline, Washington apartment turned up a treasure trove of stolen goods from Texas – computers, cameras, and a collection of violins and cellos. Investigators also found two rifle scopes and a ballistic vest, solidifying the connection to seventeen residential burglaries in Texas and one in Washington state. The timing was particularly damning; the first Texas burglary occurred a mere two weeks after Smith’s release from a New Mexico prison.

Smith’s past is as checkered as the stolen goods he amassed. He was previously a co-defendant in the 2002 murder of a 21-year-old woman in New Mexico. His role? Aiding and abetting the homicide by fleeing the state with the murder weapon and attempting to cover up the crime. This latest conviction, following a guilty plea on March 6, 2013, underscores a pattern of brazen disregard for the law.

U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik didn’t just hand down the ten-year sentence and three years of supervised release. He also ordered Smith to participate in drug treatment during his supervised release, a nod to potential underlying issues fueling the criminal behavior. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Washington State Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), showcasing the power of interagency cooperation.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs, a Senior Deputy King County Prosecutor specially designated to handle federal firearms cases, prosecuted the case. Hobbs secured the conviction against Smith, ensuring a dangerous felon is off the streets and a significant quantity of stolen weapons are removed from circulation. This case serves as a stark reminder of the interstate nature of crime and the relentless pursuit of justice by federal authorities.

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