DEWAND SMITH, a/k/a "TG," a major supplier and distributor of illegal firearms, was sentenced to 15 years in prison
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. announced today the sentencing of DEWAND SMITH, a/k/a "TG," a major supplier and distributor of illegal firearms in West Harlem and throughout New York City. SMITH was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, followed by 5 years of post-release supervision on one count of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree. SMITH was also sentenced to concurrent terms of 12 and 7 years in prison for remaining criminal counts, with each term followed by 5 and 3 years of post-release supervision. In January of 2010, SMITH pled guilty to the top count in the indictment, Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, as well as three counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, four counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, and nine counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. During a five-month period, SMITH sold a total of over 30 handguns and assault weapons to an undercover detective.
"This significant sentencing brings to justice a major dealer of illegal firearms who was in business for years and is personally responsible for supplying countless illegal handguns on our City's streets, said District Attorney Vance. The diligence of the New York City Police Department and members of the New York County District Attorney's Office halted this major trafficking operation, which not only helps make Manhattan safer, but is an important step forward in the fight against the flood of illegal firearms into New York City.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said: "I'd like to thank District Attorney Vance, his team, and the NYPD for their diligent work to bring to justice this trafficker who illegally brought guns from South Carolina to arm criminals in New York. Since 2006, when the City sued gun dealers there and elsewhere, the number of South Carolina guns found in our City has dropped by 22 percent. But South Carolina remains one of the top five out-of-state sources of guns used in New York City crimes, which is why today's victory is so important.
Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said: "I want to commend the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the NYPD's Firearms Investigation Unit for their efforts securing the arrest and conviction of Dewand Smith. In New York City, 90 percent of all guns used in a crime come from out of state. Shutting down the gun traffickers that transport these dangerous weapons into our city is critical to continuing the decline in violent crime in our neighborhoods.
The investigation was a joint endeavor between the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Firearms Trafficking Unit, and the New York City Police Department, Firearms Investigation Unit. According to his plea of guilt in documents filed in court, in West Harlem and in the Bronx, SMITH sold the undercover detective a total of 30 illegal firearms, stockpiles of ammunition for each firearm, and extra magazines, holsters, and a military-issue bulletproof vest with ballistic shock plates. The sold weapons included: semiautomatic pistols, revolvers, and assault weapons.
As described in the court record, the investigation revealed that SMITH collected illegal firearms from various sources in South Carolina and transported them to New York City for sale. Records obtained during the investigation indicated that SMITH often traveled by Amtrak train or rental car. SMITH was apprehended in Manhattan on February 24, 2009, outside Pennsylvania Station after taking a train from Kingstree, South Carolina. A fully loaded Glock .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun, extra ammunition, and an extra magazine - intended for sale to an unknown customer - were recovered from SMITH's belongings at the time of his apprehension, according to court records.
The District Attorney thanked Assistant District Attorney Christopher C. Prevost, Trial Bureau 60 and Firearms Trafficking Unit, who handled the prosecution under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Dan M. Rather, Unit Chief Firearms Trafficking.
Mr. Vance also thanked the New York City Police Department's Firearms Investigation Unit, specifically Inspector Thomas F. DiRusso, Detective Ralph Sherlock, and Undercover Detective C0178 of the Joint Firearms Task Force.
Defendant Information:
DEWAND SMITH, a/k/a "TG,"
46-50 West 111th St., Apt. 1A
New York, N.Y.
CONVICTED:
* Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, B violent felony;
* 3 counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, C violent felony;
* 4 counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, D violent felony; and
* 9 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, C violent felony.
SENTENCE:
* 15 years in prison, to be followed by 5 years post-release supervision;
* Concurrent terms of 12 years in prison, to be followed by 5 years post-release supervision on each of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree counts; and
* Concurrent terms of 7 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years post-release supervision on each of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree counts.
"This significant sentencing brings to justice a major dealer of illegal firearms who was in business for years and is personally responsible for supplying countless illegal handguns on our City's streets, said District Attorney Vance. The diligence of the New York City Police Department and members of the New York County District Attorney's Office halted this major trafficking operation, which not only helps make Manhattan safer, but is an important step forward in the fight against the flood of illegal firearms into New York City.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said: "I'd like to thank District Attorney Vance, his team, and the NYPD for their diligent work to bring to justice this trafficker who illegally brought guns from South Carolina to arm criminals in New York. Since 2006, when the City sued gun dealers there and elsewhere, the number of South Carolina guns found in our City has dropped by 22 percent. But South Carolina remains one of the top five out-of-state sources of guns used in New York City crimes, which is why today's victory is so important.
Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said: "I want to commend the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the NYPD's Firearms Investigation Unit for their efforts securing the arrest and conviction of Dewand Smith. In New York City, 90 percent of all guns used in a crime come from out of state. Shutting down the gun traffickers that transport these dangerous weapons into our city is critical to continuing the decline in violent crime in our neighborhoods.
The investigation was a joint endeavor between the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, Firearms Trafficking Unit, and the New York City Police Department, Firearms Investigation Unit. According to his plea of guilt in documents filed in court, in West Harlem and in the Bronx, SMITH sold the undercover detective a total of 30 illegal firearms, stockpiles of ammunition for each firearm, and extra magazines, holsters, and a military-issue bulletproof vest with ballistic shock plates. The sold weapons included: semiautomatic pistols, revolvers, and assault weapons.
As described in the court record, the investigation revealed that SMITH collected illegal firearms from various sources in South Carolina and transported them to New York City for sale. Records obtained during the investigation indicated that SMITH often traveled by Amtrak train or rental car. SMITH was apprehended in Manhattan on February 24, 2009, outside Pennsylvania Station after taking a train from Kingstree, South Carolina. A fully loaded Glock .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun, extra ammunition, and an extra magazine - intended for sale to an unknown customer - were recovered from SMITH's belongings at the time of his apprehension, according to court records.
The District Attorney thanked Assistant District Attorney Christopher C. Prevost, Trial Bureau 60 and Firearms Trafficking Unit, who handled the prosecution under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Dan M. Rather, Unit Chief Firearms Trafficking.
Mr. Vance also thanked the New York City Police Department's Firearms Investigation Unit, specifically Inspector Thomas F. DiRusso, Detective Ralph Sherlock, and Undercover Detective C0178 of the Joint Firearms Task Force.
Defendant Information:
DEWAND SMITH, a/k/a "TG,"
46-50 West 111th St., Apt. 1A
New York, N.Y.
CONVICTED:
* Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, B violent felony;
* 3 counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree, C violent felony;
* 4 counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, D violent felony; and
* 9 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, C violent felony.
SENTENCE:
* 15 years in prison, to be followed by 5 years post-release supervision;
* Concurrent terms of 12 years in prison, to be followed by 5 years post-release supervision on each of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree counts; and
* Concurrent terms of 7 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years post-release supervision on each of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree counts.
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