Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JAMAL SMALLS was sentenced today to 55 years in prison for the July 26, 2012, drug-related murder of Doneil White; leading a narcotics trafficking conspiracy that distributed powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin in 2012 and 2013; and using and discharging firearms in connection with that narcotics conspiracy. SMALLS was convicted in Manhattan federal court on November 20, 2015, following a two-week jury trial before United States District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald, who imposed sentence.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Jamal Smalls, convicted by a jury of a drug-related murder, narcotics trafficking, and gun charges, has now been sentenced for his crimes. For his years of murder, mayhem, and drug peddling, Smalls has received an appropriately severe sentence. Thanks to the FBI and the NYPD, Smalls no longer poses a threat to public safety.”
According to the Superseding Indictment, evidence admitted at trial, and statements made at court proceedings and in court filings:
JAMAL SMALLS, a/k/a “Poo Black,” a/k/a “Machiavelli,” a/k/a “Mack,” was a high-ranking member of the Bloods. In 2012 and 2013, SMALLS ran a drug trafficking crew that operated in and around the John Adams Houses in the Bronx, New York. SMALLS and his crew sold large quantities of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin in and around the housing project, as well as in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
In 2000, SMALLS was convicted of first degree manslaughter in New York State. Throughout SMALLS’s term of incarceration, he received narcotics from his brother and people working on behalf of the crew to distribute within the state prison system. In April 2012, SMALLS was released from New York State prison. After his release, SMALLS began to lead the crew with his brother, participating in large-quantity narcotics deals in the Bronx and out-of-state.
SMALLS was also involved in repeated violence committed in connection with the crew’s drug trafficking. On July 18, 2012, SMALLS tried to shoot Doneil White, a rival drug dealer, but missed; SMALLS, however, hit a bystander in the back outside the Johns Adams Houses. A week later, on July 25, 2012, SMALLS again shot at Doneil White in the John Adams Houses, but missed again. Early the next morning, on July 26, 2012, SMALLS paid a member of his crew $10,000 to shoot Doneil White in a stairwell at the John Adams Houses. White died a few days later as result of his severe injuries.
Following his arrest in August 2012, and while in pre-trial detention, SMALLS continued to lead the narcotics conspiracy, by, among other things, giving directives to members of the crew through telephone calls and in-person visits.
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Buchwald sentenced SMALLS to 10 years of supervised release and ordered SMALLS to pay a $300 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department for their continued outstanding work in this investigation. Mr. Bharara also thanked the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for their valuable assistance with the investigation.
