A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Mesawn Smith, aka "Butter", age 31, of Kent, Ohio, with distribution of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
The indictment charges that on or about May 15 and May 25, 2012, Smith distributed less than 28 grams of crack cocaine. The indictment further charges that on or about Nov. 2, 2012, Smith possessed with the intent to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine.
If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Youngstown Field Office and the Akron Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
