Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Illegal Possession of Firearms
MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as an Armed Career Criminal, announced United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, on July 20, 2020, Minneapolis Police officers pulled over a GMC Envoy with Romelle Darryl Smith, 33, riding in it. Believing Smith was a suspect in a shooting investigation, officers ordered him out of the car. Smith told the officers he was carrying a Ruger LCP handgun with a Viridan laser attached. Police determined Smith’s identity and learned that he had an outstanding felony warrant with the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Smith was taken into custody. Prior to the July 20, 2020, arrest Smith had been convicted of four adult felonies as well as a domestic assault misdemeanor conviction, subjecting him to enhanced sentencing under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
Smith was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge John R. Tunheim. On August 24, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm as an Armed Career Criminal.
This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Hudleston prosecuted the case.