10/23/2026 MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Cartrelle Smith, also known as “Poo Moe,” has pleaded guilty to participating in a racketeering conspiracy tied to the Lows gang, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. Smith entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz on October 21, 2026. They are the third of 14 defendants to plead guilty in U.S. v. Alowonle et al., case number 24-cr-293. Sentencing will be scheduled later. Smith faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Those are maximum possible penalties, not a sentence already imposed. According to the announcement, Smith admitted being a member of and associated with the Lows and intentionally joining a conspiracy to conduct the enterprise’s affairs through racketeering activity. The admitted conspiracy included acts involving murder, narcotics trafficking, firearms trafficking and carjacking. The announcement does not say Smith personally committed every act attributed to the enterprise. Prosecutors describe the Lows as a group established in Minneapolis around 2004 and primarily active on the city’s north side. Court documents describe Smith and others as members or associates beginning around 2009 and continuing through at least August 20, 2025. The broader case alleges that the enterprise engaged in fatal violence, attempted murder, drug distribution, robbery, carjacking and firearms trafficking. Prosecutors say intimidation, threats, armed retaliation, social media taunting and shared firearms helped maintain its territory and reputation. The announcement details fentanyl sales Smith arranged on at least two occasions between April and July 2023. In a July 5 exchange, a customer asked about “blues,” a term referring to M-30 fentanyl pills. Smith indicated that they had recently sold 500 pills, had roughly 50 remaining and expected to have more available later. On July 28, 2023, officers executing a search warrant at a Plymouth apartment encountered Smith in the living room. Investigators found 42 M-30 fentanyl pills in Smith’s pocket and a Glock 19 9mm handgun on the floor beside their cellphone, according to the announcement. The handgun had an extended magazine and an automatic conversion device, commonly called a “switch.” Smith acknowledged that the charged conspiracy involved at least 129.1 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl during their involvement. Two other defendants previously entered guilty pleas to their roles in the RICO conspiracy: Deontae Jackson, also known as “Leef,” on April 3, 2026, and Damari Douglas, also known as “Mari,” on July 17, 2026. Federal, state and local officials credited the investigation’s partnerships and said the case was part of continuing efforts to disrupt violence and drug trafficking in Minneapolis. Officials’ statements in the announcement emphasized accountability, neighborhood safety and the effects of fentanyl distribution. The investigation involved the ATF, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Minnesota Department of Corrections, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and David M. Classen, along with Trial Attorney Ryan McCabe of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, are prosecuting the case. Smith’s guilty plea applies to their own participation in the conspiracy. Allegations against defendants who have not pleaded guilty or been convicted remain allegations, and those defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota announcement provided to Minnesota Now. Minnesota Now | Minneapolis, Minnesota