HOUSTON – A 31-year-old Houston man was indicted for carjacking and illegally possessing and discharging a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery announced Wednesday.
A federal grand jury returned the three-count indictment against Zachary Smith. Previously in state custody on related charges, he is expected to make his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge on the federal indictment in the near future.
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The charges allege that on Feb. 6, Smith discharged a firearm while stealing a vehicle from the parking lot of a washateria on Melbourne Drive. He was also allegedly involved in a shooting on Feb. 7 on the 2000 block of Broadway Street. On that day, Smith led law enforcement in a pursuit that came to an end when he crashed into a patrol unit, according to the charges.
The indictment alleges that he is a previous felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms per federal law.
If convicted, Smith faces up to life for discharging the firearm during a crime of violence, 15 years for the carjacking and a maximum of 10 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm.