In a major crackdown on gang violence, Demetrius Sanchez Smith, a 34-year-old man, has been convicted and hit with a hefty 40-year sentence, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced. Smith was facing charges tied to a 2022 shooting in Toccoa, Georgia, but chose to plead guilty before the trial could gain momentum. His plea, entered ahead of jury selection on January 22th secured him convictions for Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
Before Senior Judge Hon. Albert B. Collier, Smith made his plea, agreeing to effectively serve eight years behind bars out of his 40-year sentence. The GBI, collaborating closely with the Toccoa Police Department and backed by the FBI, successfully brought down Smith, who has also been ordered not to step foot in the Mountain Judicial Circuit again, a form of banishment used to further prevent his potential criminal influences. Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Payne James and Chief Assistant District Attorney Suzanne M. Boykin represented the state in the court proceedings, supported by Assistant District Attorneys Andrew L. Smallwood and Alex Godoy.
Several co-defendants also faced resolutions in their cases before trial. As laid out by the GBI's statement, these resolutions included convictions for Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault and Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, in addition to Hindering Apprehension or Punishment of a Criminal.
Smith's criminal history did not begin with the Toccoa incident. He was previously convicted on September 18, 2023, for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Trafficking Cocaine, and again for Violating the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
