Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen reports that on April 29, 2024, Saratoga County Judge James A. Murphy, III sentenced Shahid Smith (DOB 2/22/1981) to an aggregate term of thirty one and one half (31 ½) years in a state correctional facility, to be followed by a period of post release supervision of 3 years. These sentences were imposed following convictions stemming from a week long jury trial held in February. The trial jury found Defendant Smith guilty of four counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 220.39, a “Class B” felony; one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 220.31, a “Class D” felony; four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 220.16(1), a “Class B” felony; and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th Degree, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 220.06(1). These crimes occurred during the month of December, 2022.
The evidence at trial proved that that Defendant Smith sold fentanyl, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine on four different occasions within Saratoga County. Defendant Smith has a lengthy criminal history that includes multiple convictions for drug related offenses and possession of a loaded firearm.
“Our county continues to actively try to combat the impact the sale and use of illegal drugs has in our community- especially fentanyl, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine. Drug use and abuse in our community is significant. As of today, there have been 277 overdoses and 17 fatal overdoses so far this year in Saratoga County. In 2023, there were 727 overdoses and 39 fatal overdoses within our county. The dedicated work of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit developed a strong case that resulted in the conviction and significant sentence of an aggregate of 31 ½ years in a state correctional facility imposed today by Judge James A. Murphy, III. We work collaboratively each day with law enforcement to combat this terrible epidemic. And then we have the Defendant, selling fentanyl, one of the very drugs responsible for the hundreds of overdoses within our county each year. This significant sentence serves as just punishment for Defendant Smith’s crimes, but also sends a loud and clear message that we do not tolerate illegal drugs sales here in Saratoga County.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Meghan A. Horton and Alexander Brennan with assistance from District Attorney’s Office Investigator Mark Sauter.