Spammer gets 30 years for selling prescription drugs

According to the Star Tribune, US District Judge Michael Davis dubbed Smith a "drug kingpin" as he ordered him sent down. He did say that he had some doubts about the length of the sentence, which he thought was a bit steep but recommended by sentencing guidelines. However, Davis added it was reasonable given the circumstances.

Prosecutors wanted Smith locked up for a long time because he ignored judicial orders and had made a death threat against a witness in the case.

After a federal judge shut down the Burnsville pharmacy in May 2005, Smith traveled to the Dominican Republic using a false passport and took steps to open a new online pharmacy.

He was convicted in November of nine charges of conspiracy, illegal distribution of drugs, money laundering and operating a "continuing criminal enterprise."

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