Man accused of planning a murder to cover up payroll scheme sentenced to life in prison

Adams County District Court Judge Brett Martin on Friday sentenced a man to life in prison without parole for starting a payroll scheme at an Aurora King Soopers distribution center and planning the killing of a supervisor who uncovered it, according to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Jerrelle Aireine Smith, 44, was convicted of first-degree murder in August for the death of Ryan Dillard, a new supervisor at the facility. He was also sentenced to 96 years for racketeering.

Smith was accused of being the mastermind behind a scheme by to steal from the distribution center, 1861 Tower Road, by creating “ghost employees” to trick the payroll system. He and his friends stole thousands of dollars, according to the district attorney’s office.

Dillard learned of the theft after he was hired on Oct. 4, 2021. Smith hired Michael Poydras, a former employee of Capstone Logistics, which operated the center, to kill Dillard. Poydras no longer worked for the company, but was still on the payroll system and benefitted from the scheme, according to the district attorney’s office.

On Oct. 21, 2021, Poydras opened fire on Dillard’s vehicle as the latter left the facility to pick up breakfast for his employees. Dillard was killed in the shooting. Poydras was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in July 2023.

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