FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: MARCH 7, 2016
RE: PRESS RELEASE – FREDERICK SMITH SENTENCE
On March 4thFrederick Smith of Poughkeepsie, NY, was sentenced to 15 years in State Prison on his conviction to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a Class C Violent Felony) after a two week trial that commenced on August 3rd, 2015.
The case stemmed from events which occurred on January 25th, 2014, when at least 15 shots were fired by a crowd of patrons who had just exited the “Home” night club located at 3353 Rte. 9W in the Town of Lloyd. Multiple police agencies including the Town of Lloyd Police, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and others responded to the call for shots fired and found one man, wounded by a gunshot, collapsed in the parking lot of the club. Frederick Smith, along with co-defendant’s Tahmel Gordon, Jaquan Higgs and DiMetri Moseley, drove away from the scene with Gordon driving. Police gave pursuit but the suspect vehicle did not pull over even though followed by several police vehicles with emergency lights and sirens activated. After approximately a mile, defendant’s vehicle was stopped on SR 9W near Milton Avenue by a police barrier.
Police surrounded the vehicle calling out commands for the defendants to show their hands and to exit the vehicle. Defendants ignored these commands. Defendant, Frederick Smith was seen throwing a loaded semi- automatic pistol out his door. Shortly after, Gordon was seen pulling a 38 cal revolver from his waistband and was shot twice by police.
Once stopped, Frederick Smith got out of the vehicle and despite police ordering him not to move, ran into the woods with several officers in pursuit. Smith was apprehended and all defendants were arrested.
Gordon’s injuries were not life threatening.
Smith is 25 years old with an extensive criminal history. He was convicted of a violent felony Assault in Dutchess County in 2012, and is currently serving a 7 year sentence for a Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, a class B felony, for selling narcotics in the City of Poughkeepsie in 2013. Smith also has numerous misdemeanor convictions.
The case was prosecuted by Sr. Assistant District Attorney Clifford Owens. Smith was represented at trial by attorney Bryan Rounds and he was represented at sentencing by attorney Paul Gruner.