CONROE – A man has been sentenced to two life terms for his role in an organized crime style kidnapping and robbery.
In the early morning hours of April 6, 2010, prosecutors said Charlie Smith, 38, and two other men kidnapped a driver of an 18-wheeler who was about to deliver $150,000 worth of cigarettes to Sam's Club in Conroe.
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Officials said the men tackled the diver, bound his hands behind his back with duct tape threw him into the back of a pickup truck and drove off
The victim testified in court that he heard the driver of the pickup talking on what sounded like a walkie-talkie to the other men, telling them the location of the security guard.
Officials said the masked men eventually stopped and pulled the victim out of the truck and dropped him in an alley by some Dumpsters, stealing his wallet before they left him there.
The victim made his way to a nearby Walmart and got help from the security guard, investigators said.
Officials said the victim notified his company about the robbery and they were able to somehow track the stolen cigarettes to a home. Police said they found the stolen cigarettes and the victim's wallet inside. They also found the pickup truck in the driveway that belonged to Smith with a ski mask inside, officials said.
Smith was found guilty on two counts of engaging in organized crime.
During the sentencing phase of Smith's trial, prosecutors presented evidence to the court about his criminal history dating back to 1993.
During closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney, Tammy Massa told the jury that Smith was a hijacker and thief who has escalated in violence and boldness over the last 20 years of committing crimes.
He was received to two life sentences for the crimes.