Accused Cop Killer Convicted on Firearms Charges

Tanya Marie Smith was convicted of all charges except for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

October 5, 2008

MOREHOUSE PARISH LA NEWS -- In a federal court in Shreveport, Louisiana, Tanya Marie Smith, age 25, of Mission, Texas, was convicted on October 1, 2008, of firearms charges resulting from the August 2007, shooting which killed two local police detectives, and was captured on video by a security camera at Bastrop, Louisiana motel. Smith was charged with conspiracy and possession of six firearms by a convicted felon, including possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and possession of an unregistered shotgun with a barrel of less than 18 inches in length. Smith was convicted of all charges except for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

On August 10, 2007, detectives, Chuck Wilson and John Smith of the Bastrop Police Department, were performing an investigation into a case involving stolen merchandise when they arrived at the motel. The detectives proceeded to knock on the door of the motel room occupied by Smith and her boyfriend, Dennis Clem. Answering the door, Smith allowed the detectives into the room, once inside both detectives were shot and killed by Clem. A few moments later, the young woman was observed exited the motel room calmly and walked away from the crime scene. Clem was later killed in a shootout in the same motel with other police officers responding to shooting. The following weapons were discovered at the crime scene. A 9mm pistol and a .45 caliber pistol were recovered next to Clem's body, while another 9mm pistol, a .12 gauge sawed-off shotgun with an obliterated serial number, a .22 caliber rifle, and an SKS assault-style rifle were recovered from the couple's vehicle.

Smith a convicted felon, who was still under supervision at the time of this offense, pled guilty in North Dakota to drug-related charges and was later convicted in federal court of possession with intent to distribute marijuana in Houston, Texas, in 2004. Additionally, Smith violated a specific condition of her probation by leaving the Southern District of Texas without permission and associating with Dennis Clem.

Smith is also facing pending Louisiana state charges of two counts of second-degree murder and eight additional gun and drug charges. Furthermore, conspiracy to possess a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum sentence of 5 years and a $250,000 fine. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine. Possession of an unregistered shotgun with a barrel of less than 18 inches in length carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine.

U. S. Attorney Donald Washington for the Western District of Louisiana announcing the successful prosecution of the case said, "We continue to offer our condolences to the brave men who lost their lives in their encounter with Smith and her violent companion. We pledge to continue to do all this office can to prevent violent crimes of the sort represented in this prosecution. When prevention efforts fail, we pledge to aggressively pursue and prosecute the perpetrators of crimes of violence prohibited by federal law."

Tanya Marie Smith's sentence will be determined on a later date, fortunately, Parole has been abolished in the federal system, and sentencing in federal court is determined by the discretion of federal judges and the governing statute. So, hopefully Smith will receive the maximum sentence for her crimes, sending a message that firearm possession by convicted felons will not be tolerated.

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