Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen reports that today, February 26, 2024, after less than one hour of deliberation, a Saratoga County Trial Jury convicted Shahid M. Smith, dob February 22, 1981, of all ten (10) charges submitted to the jury. The guilty verdict follows a trial that started last week and concluded testimony today in Saratoga County Court. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before delivering the verdict to Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III.
Defendant Smith was convicted of selling fentanyl on three (3) separate occasions in the Town of Wilton during December, 2022. Additionally, the trial jury also convicted the defendant with selling cocaine and methamphetamine in the Town of Wilton and the City of Saratoga Springs. Defendant Smith was also convicted of possession of controlled substances with the intent to sell them.
District Attorney Heggen praised the efforts of the investigating agency, “The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit’s investigation identified Defendant Shahid Smith as preying upon some of our most vulnerable residents suffering from the disease of addiction as he sold fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. The Narcotics Unit’s work resulted in removing a drug dealer from our streets who sought monetary gain while peddling potentially lethal drugs in our community. The guilty verdict delivered today by the trial jury has held Defendant Smith responsible for his criminal conduct.” Heggen also noted the commitment and dedication of her staff in the prosecution of this case, including Assistant District Attorneys Alexander Brennan, Jesse Ashdown, Meghan Horton and DA Investigator Mark Sauter.
Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, 2024. He faces potentially more than 30 years in prison for the ten counts he was convicted of today, Monday, February 26, 2024.