A decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was carrying cocaine aboard a small plane that made an emergency landing was sentenced Wednesday to two-and-a-half years in prison.
Shortly after the plane was forced by mechanical issues to land on state Route 76 in Oceanside in the early morning hours of Sept. 26, 2024, prosecutors said Oceanside resident Troy Othneil Smith, 36, tried to hide a drug package from police.
On prior occasions, Smith also sent out packages of cocaine in the mail, which were seized by the U.S. Postal Service, prosecutors said.
Smith’s defense attorney, Ashby Sorensen, wrote in court papers that his client took part in the offenses because he “was struggling with significant debt.”
Sorenson noted his client had no prior criminal history, pleaded guilty early in the case and had a distinguished military career. Smith rose to the rank of captain before being honorably discharged in 2011.
He was awarded two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals – the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and a Lifetime Achievement Award from former President Joe Biden – according to the defense attorney.
A prosecution sentencing memorandum states Smith was a student pilot at the time, but based on handwritten notes discovered at his home that detailed apparent flight plans, he “had his sights set next on piloting his own plane for drug distribution cross country.”
The other pilot was arrested, but was not ultimately charged.
Smith told U.S. District Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro that he was “very focused on getting back on the right side of things” by pursuing his education and giving back to the community.
“I do not take what I’ve done lightly,” he said. “I regret every single minute of that episode of my life.”
