Mastermind of Payroll Scheme at Aurora Distribution Center Convicted of Murder, COCCA for Running Operation, Ordering Hit That Led to an Innocent Man’s Death

Brighton, CO — Today, District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the First-Degree Murder and COCCA Pattern of Racketeering conviction of Jerrelle Smith, 44, following a nearly three-week trial in Adams County District Court.  

Jerrelle Smith was the mastermind of a payroll scheme at a King Soopers Distribution Center in Aurora operated by Capstone Logistics. The facility is located at 1861 Tower Road in the Adams County portion of Aurora. Smith and several of his friends at the facility stole thousands of dollars from the company by fenagling the payroll system through the use of ghost employees.  

Ryan Dillard was hired on October 4, 2021, to replace a former supervisor at the facility. The payroll scheme came to light as he transitioned into his new role. Michael Poydras, a former Capstone employee, was a beneficiary of that scheme. At the time of Dillard’s hiring, Poydras was still on the payroll but no longer an active employee for the company.  

Smith hired Poydras to murder Dillard. On October 21, 2021, Poydras, dressed in all black, hid behind a sign on the Capstone property and ambushed Dillard as he left the facility to pick up breakfast for his employees. Poydras opened fire on Dillard’s vehicle and fled the scene. Dillard died as a result of the shooting and an Adams County Jury convicted Poydras of First-Degree Murder on July 21, 2023. An Adams County District Court Judge sentenced the Poydras to Life in Prison Without the Possibility of Parole on July 27, 2023.    

“The facts of this case are like something out of a movie as they’re impossible to comprehend in real life,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “Smith stole thousands and thousands of dollars from Capstone Logistics and then hired a beneficiary of that scheme to murder a fellow employee in cold blood.” 

An Adams County Jury convicted Jerrelle Smith of First-Degree Murder, COCCA Pattern of Racketeering, and Theft on August 29, 2024, following a nearly three-week trial. Smith's sentence will be handed down by Adams County District Court Judge Brett Martin following an additional hearing on the habitual counts in this case, but Smith faces a Life in Prison Without the Possibility of Parole sentence on the First-Degree Murder charge. 

“I’m thankful to the members of the jury who put their lives on hold for three weeks to ensure a just verdict was reached. I’m also grateful to the Aurora Police Department for their painstaking investigation into this case and to my team at the DA’s Office for ensuring these two individuals were held accountable for their heinous crimes,” said Mason. “My thoughts and deepest condolences go to the family and friends of Ryan Dillard who have dealt with unimaginable pain and waited nearly three years to see this day.” 

Chief Deputy District Attorney Alex Baker and Senior Deputy District Attorney Danny Paulson led the prosecution of this case and the Poydras case.  

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