After start of trial, Rogers man pleads guilty to drug charges

A Rogers man decided to plead guilty Tuesday afternoon after the jury was selected and the first witness was testifying in his drug trial.

Olajuwon Jemeita Smith, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of delivery of controlled substance, two counts of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, all Class y felonies, and delivery of a controlled substance (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia, both Class C felonies. He also pleaded guilty to robbery, a Class B felony.

The plea was under an agreement Smith's attorney David Hogue reached with David Reading, deputy prosecutor.

Smith was arrested June 24, 2008. He lived in Bentonville at that time.

Sgt. Adam Howard was on the witness stand Tuesday afternoon when Smith decided to plead guilty. Howard, who was a drug investigator for Bentonville police, now works for the Benton County Sheriff's Office. Howard was testifying about Smith's and a confidential informant's dealings in a drug deals.

Jurors also heard phone recordings as the informant talked with Smith about buying methamphetamine from him.

Howard also testified that drugs and two loaded guns were found in Smith's apartment when he was arrested.

However, the trial came to an end when prosecutors accepted the plea offer that Hogue approached them with, according to Reading.

Smith was sentenced to 40 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He will have to serve at least 10 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Smith was arrested Sept. 13 and later charged with aggravated robbery, a Class Y felony.

According to court documents, Marcus Pratt called police Sept. 13 and reported that Smith had pointed a gun at his head.

Pratt claimed that Smith demanded money from him and pointed the pistol and cocked it, according to court documents. Smith allowed Pratt to go inside his home to get the money, but Pratt called 911, according to court documents. Rogers police later arrested Smith.

The plea also wrapped up the September case and prosecutors reduced the aggravated robbery to robbery.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren accepted the plea agreement and Smith's guilty pleas.

Smith will have to abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 10 years after he is released from prison.

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