Cleveland Man Sentenced on Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges

CLEVELAND – Deven Smith, 44, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, to 211 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi after he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to court documents, on July 15, 2021, Cleveland Police Safe Streets Task Force initiated a traffic stop of a 2008 Audi Q7 that was parked and running in the area of East 79th Street and St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland. When officers approached the driver, Deven Smith, they observed a bag of suspected controlled substance on the front passenger seat, several clear plastic bags on Smith’s lap, and a digital scale in the center console. Smith admitted to officers that he also had a firearm in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a Ruger, model P345 .45 caliber pistol between the driver’s seat and the center console. Officers also located just over 10 grams of cocaine base, almost 30 grams of cocaine, methamphetamine and two cell phones. Smith is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions.

The investigation was conducted by the Cleveland Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott Zarzycki.