A Livingston man has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity, a third-degree felony.
Polk County Assistant District Attorney Mackenzie Smith presented evidence during the trial showing that Raymond Leroy Smelley Jr. and co-defendants stole and stripped telecommunication wire belonging to Highline, selling the copper for profit.
Following a guilty verdict, the case was set for sentencing. After hearing the defendant’s prior convictions, 258th District Judge John E. Wells III sentenced Smelley, a habitual offender, to 25 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
“The Polk County Sheriff’s Office assisted in providing the evidence and support necessary for the prosecution of this case,” a statement from the Polk County District Attorney’s Office read. “Thanks to their diligent work and thorough investigation, the district attorney’s office was able to prosecute this case fully … (and) is thankful for our law enforcement’s continued hard work and cooperation as these cases move forward.”
Smelley, 55, had several previous offenses, including manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance and assault causing bodily injury to a family member, in addition to numerous probation and parole violations.
