Bloods Gang Leader Pleads Guilty in 2011 OMC Drug Bust

A Bloods gang leader arrested in a June 2011 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raid of an Old Mill Court based crack-cocaine ring pleaded guilty to dealing cocaine Thursday in federal court in Central Islip, according to reports.

Latee Smith was one of 14 people arrested on June 1 in a group that authorities said "dominated the narcotics trade in Rockville Centre's Old Mill Court apartment complex."

According to the United States Attorney's Office, four of the defendants, including Smith, are members of the United Blood Nation (Bloods) — a violent street gang.

Newsday [paid link] reported:

While Smith lived in Hempstead, many of those arrested lived in Rockville Centre, officials said. In pleading guilty, Smith briefly admitted to his role in the drug dealing, and mainly answered in a crisp "Yes, sir," to other questions asked by federal magistrate William Wall.

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At the time of the raid, Robert Nardoza, spokesman for the United States Attorney's Office, said that a four-month joint investigation by the FBI, Rockville Centre Police Department and Nassau County Police Department revealed a narcotics distribution ring operating in the Old Mill Court apartment complex.

FBI spokesman James Margolin said that the raid itself was the culmination of a 14-month investigation led by the RVCPD.

Smith faces up to life in prison. He is likely to get a sentence of between 19 to 24 years under a plea agreement.