Man arrested during March SWAT raid to serve up to 10 years in prison
The man arrested during a raid by the Washtenaw County Metro SWAT Team in March will serve between 14 months and 10 years in prison, a judge ruled Monday.
Terill Smith
Courtesy of the WCSO
Terrill Smith, 36, pleaded no contest on Dec. 3 to two counts of receiving and concealing stolen property between $1,000 and $20,000, one count of receiving and concealing a stolen firearm, being a felon in possession of a firearm and third-degree home invasion.
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.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
PineyWoodsGuy
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 7:23 a.m.
He will, For Sure, be released in Less than the 14 Months Minimum (due to his 172 day credit for time served in Wash. Co. Jail). The sentence is a Traversity and Judge O'Brien should be so Instructed! Does Judge O'B propose to Continue in the "tradition" of retired (thankfully) Judge Morris? Just wondering . . . thinking minds should like to know . . . Elections are coming up Darlene! Dig?
Susan Ursus
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 5:33 a.m.
Where is this loser going to get 12 grand? Why does the court impose fines and fees that will never be paid? What a joke.
Westfringe
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 5:29 p.m.
Wow, that's some harsh punishment! The sound of his wrists being slapped will surely cause all would-be criminals to return to a life of virtue.
Susan Ursus
Wed, Jan 30, 2013 : 5:31 a.m.
Bob: 10 is the max possible. It is very unlikely he will do anywhere near the full 10.
Basic Bob
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 6:13 p.m.
Ten years in prison is hardly a slap on the wrist. I'm grateful we don't live in the Islamic State of Westfringe.
stevek
Tue, Jan 29, 2013 : 3:39 p.m.
I'm confused. Does he want to put these current crimes behind him and move on, or is it the crimes he committed 4 years ago that he is sorry for?