Teen sentenced to 15 years for deadly drug deal

A Boone County judge sentenced Brian H. Smith, 19, to 15 years in prison on two felonies on Monday after he pleaded guilty to his involvement in a 2016 shooting death of a 33-year-old man.

Police arrested Smith in 2016 on suspicion of second-degree murder and other charges after an argument over a marijuana deal led an exchange of gunfire on Claudell Lane in west Columbia.

Smith received 15-year sentences for armed criminal action and second-degree robbery but will serve the sentences concurrently with credit given for time served. Boone County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Caldera said Smith also got a sentence of two years for damage to jail property which will be served concurrently with the other sentences, also with credit for time served.

Smith was 18 at the time of the shooting. For more information on the original shooting, click here.

*Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the victim as a 16-year-old.