A man has been sentenced to a combined 25 years in prison in connection to a battery with a deadly weapon case as well as a drug trafficking case. Joel Constantino-Smith (dob 9/7/00) was given 10 years in prison with parole eligibility after 4 years for the battery with a deadly weapon conviction, stemming from a shooting in a smoke shop, and 15 years with parole eligibility after 6 years for getting caught with eight pounds of Schedule I psilocybin mushrooms, both in 2025. The sentences will run consecutively.
Reno Police responded to the Mid Town Smoke Shop in May of last year after receiving a 911 call about an incident there. When officers arrived, they learned a fight had erupted inside the store between two men and a display case had been broken. Later that same day, a man arrived at Renown Medical Center with a gunshot wound but wouldn’t say what had happened. Officers learned that the man, Brandon Blosser, had gotten into a fight with Constantino-Smith inside the smoke shop. After the initial fist fight, Constantino-Smith produced a handgun and shot at Mr. Blosser twice, hitting him in the back as he fled. Constantino-Smith did not remain on scene and police began efforts to find him.
The following month, officers from the Reno Police Department found Constantino-Smith leaving his home in a car. In addition to being wanted for the shooting, police were also aware that Constantino-Smith was involved in narcotics dealing due to a Secret Witness tip and other investigation. A search of Constantino-Smith’s car uncovered a Glock handgun magazine, and eight packages of psilocybin mushrooms, equaling 3,630 grams, or more than 2000 doses. As a result, Constantino was arrested for the initial shooting as well as drug trafficking charges for the mushrooms.
The Honorable Scott Freeman presided and issued the sentences to run consecutively for an aggregate term of 25 years in prison with parole eligibility after 10 years have been served. Deputy District Attorney Michael Vieta-Kabell represented the State in the cases and argued to the Court that the sentences were appropriate and necessary to protect the safety of the citizens of Washoe County.
Audio of Constantino-Smith release
