Monticello Live

On Thursday, October 10, 2024, at approximately 6:45 a.m., Arkansas State Police Troop F Trooper David Menotti attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Tahoe for speeding on U.S. Highway 425 South in Drew County. The driver failed to yield, initiating a vehicle pursuit passing multiple vehicles during the chase..

The fleeing vehicle ultimately pulled into the Interfor Plant property, where the driver — a Black male later identified as Demorcus L. Smith, of Crossett — exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Trooper Menotti quickly secured the scene, locating a red hoodie, two semi-automatic pistols, a bag containing suspected marijuana.

Smith was apprehended shortly thereafter on the plant property without incident. After being read his Miranda rights, Smith admitted to Trooper Menotti that he had been operating the fleeing vehicle.

The jury watched the video of the chase, heard the interview with Smith, and was presented with the facts that the evidence recovered from the scene was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for testing. Lab results confirmed the presence of 47 grams of marijuana, and both seized firearms were verified to be operable.

The jury found Smith guilty of fleeing in excess of the posted speed limit, possession of marijuana, and felon in possession of a firearm.

During sentencing, the jury heard evidence that Demorcus L. Smith was charged a as a habitual offender based on prior felony convictions, including: 2014 , Sexual Assault in the Second Degree; 2017 Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, and 2020 Possession of a Schedule IV/V Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver Possession of Marijuana with Purpose to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia to Facilitate Drug Transactions and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

The jury recommended a sentence of 15 years and a $10,000 fine on the fleeing count, 15 years and a $10,000 fine on felony possession of a firearm, and a 6-month sentence and a 25 hundred dollar fine for the offensive possession of marijuana. The jury recommended that the sentences run consecutively.  Judge Robert Gibson III followed the recommendation of the jury and sentenced Smith to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and $22,500 worth of fines.