A Des Moines man, Scott Eugene Smith, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for several charges related to firearms and drugs. According to court documents, the charges include possessing firearms as a felon, possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The incident leading to these charges occurred in September 2023. Smith led law enforcement on a car chase that ended when he exited a moving vehicle in a hotel parking lot in Des Moines. During the pursuit, Smith fired shots at a Polk County Sheriff Deputy and subsequently attempted to hide his loaded pistol while discarding his cell phone. He was found hiding inside the hotel office and arrested hours later. A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine, marijuana, pills containing fentanyl, and another firearm.
Following his prison sentence, Smith will be subject to five years of supervised release. The federal system does not allow for parole.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing. The case was investigated by both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement agencies with communities. PSN emphasizes trust-building within communities, supports community-based violence prevention programs, sets strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluates outcomes for effectiveness.
For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.