Man arrested during March SWAT raid to serve up to 10 years in prison

He was sentenced to between 14 months and five years in prison on every charge aside from receiving and concealing a stolen firearm. Smith may serve a maximum of 10 years on that charge.

Smith was arrested in a March 16 raid at 689 Cayuga St. According to deputies, Smith was linked to home invasions throughout Ypsilanti Township, specifically in the West Willow neighborhood. Community officials, who hoped it would put an end to break-ins in the area, greeted his arrest.

During his sentencing hearing Monday, Smith said he’d let a lot of people down and apologized.

“I want to put this behind me … and get everything back in order,” he said.

He’s already served 172 days in the Washtenaw County Jail on each of the cases and he’ll pay $12,295 in costs and fees from the court case, according to Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Darlene O’Brien’s ruling.

Sheriff’s office officials said in April Smith was suspected of being involved in 21 home invasions in Ypsilanti Township and Washtenaw County. The home on Cayuga Street had been raided several times before Smith’s arrest and was condemned by the township.

Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Paul Barnett said Smith orchestrated break-ins and concealed the stolen items.

“Mr. Smith was directing other people to go to these places and break in and steal things for him,” Barnett said.

Erane Washington, Smith’s attorney, said he had not been charged with crimes related to those accusations and there were no co-defendants in the case that lent credence to the conspiracy claim.

Smith may be able to take part in a boot camp program as a part of his sentence.