DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Southern District of Ohio

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Kenneth L. Parker
, United States Attorney

Local Man on Federal Supervised Release Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for New Drug, Gun Crimes

Defendant Concealed Fentanyl in Dog’s Collar

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A local man previously convicted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal narcotics crimes was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 156 months in prison for committing new narcotics and firearms crimes while on supervised release.

Larry K. Smith, 31, is also known as “Lil Larry” and “Big Larry.” He was sentenced in federal court for possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to court documents, Smith owns Larry’s Cleaning LLC and applied for CARES ACT aid for his business. During the same timeframe, Smith was observed on social media with high-end vehicles, jewelry, bags and stacks of money all while having no verified income.

Law enforcement surveillance revealed an increased amount of foot and vehicle traffic at Smith’s home in Columbus. Further surveillance revealed that Smith had another residence on Bay Ridge Drive in Lewis Center.

While executing simultaneous search warrants at Smith’s two residences, law enforcement officials discovered approximately 300 grams of fentanyl dispersed throughout the homes, including in Smith’s dog’s collar and in a Gucci bag hidden under the stairs. All told, Smith was found to have more than $50,000 in cash, including in a Louis Vuitton backpack and on his person, as well as a loaded firearm, marijuana and crack cocaine. The Government also seized a large diamond and gold Short North Posse medallion necklace from Smith.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Travis S. Riddle, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth A. Geraghty and S. Courter Shimeall are representing the United States in this case.

Columbus Field Division