Former Toccoa murder suspect enters guilty plea on trafficking, gang activity charges
This morning, Demetrius Sanchez Smith, 34, of Toccoa, entered a last-minute guilty plea on two charges of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, as well as methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking counts.
Smith’s jury trial was scheduled to begin this morning in Stephens County Superior Court, but Smith entered his guilty plea to the charges before a jury was empaneled.
The plea was taken before the Hon. B. Chan Caudell. The State of Georgia was represented by Chief Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Boykin, along with Assistant District Attorney Rebecca James.
Smith was sentenced to twenty years, with the first twelve years to be served in custody.
According to an earlier report by WNEG News, Smith was indicted in January of this year on charges of trafficking methamphetamine or amphetamine, two counts of trafficking cocaine, three counts of violating the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention act, and one count of tampering with evidence.
According to the indictment, Smith was found to be in possession of 28 grams or more of methamphetamine, 28 grams or more of a mixture with a purity of 10 percent or more of cocaine, and 28 grams or more of a mixture with a purity of less than 10 percent of cocaine.
The indictment also alleged that Smith, being associated with the criminal street gang the Bloods, participated in criminal gang activity of trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine with the intent to maintain his status in the gang.
Additionally, the indictment stated that Smith knowingly destroyed physical evidence by using a toilet, sink, or shower to destroy cocaine in his possession.
Smith’s case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region Eight Field Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Gang Task Force, and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. They were assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force.
The 2023 indictments are not the first time Smith has faced charges for Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
On Thursday, August 9,2018, WNEG News reported that the victim of a deadly shooting had been identified as 18-year-old Joel Keshon Green of Toccoa. The shooting occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8, on South Alexander St. Behind the Toccoa Pawn shop. The Toccoa Police Department, according to protocol, contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to lead the investigation.
According to witness statements, Green was at the corner of Franklin Street and South Alexander Street speaking with a female in a vehicle when he was shot once in the head.
The next day, WNEG News reported that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the shooting. Kentavius B. Walker, 21 at the time, was arrested and charged with Green’s murder. Ty’Jal Trammell of Toccoa had also been arrested and charged with giving false information and was also expected to face a murder charge in the shooting.
In August 2021, WNEG News reported that Walker and Trammell, along with Demetrius Sanchez Smith, were charged with the murder, and that the shooting was associated with criminal gang activity. WNEG Reported the indictments handed down by the Stephens County Grand Jury included malice murder, felony murder, and 24 counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism And Prevention Act against Walker, and malice murder, felony murder, and 22 counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism And Prevention Act against Smith.
On October 14, 2021, WNEG News reported that a Stephens County jury had found Walker guilty of the murder of Green, but had returned a verdict of not guilty for Demetrius Smith.