East Texas man sentenced after shooting transgender person

LONGVIEW – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas man has been sentenced to 48 years after pleading guilty to shooting a transgender victim in 2023.

Investigators said the victim met with John Lee Smith on the day prior in 2023 at 7 a.m. Initially, Smith denied meeting the victim and did not disclose a reason for shooting him. Smith shot the victim while they were both sitting in a car, officers said. Smith admitted afterwards to shooting the victim because the victim did not disclose that he was transgender. Officers found evidence that Smith was aware of the victim being biologically male, and had previously been involved in a relationship with the victim.

Law enforcement arrested Smith for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and he was taken to Gregg County Jail.

According to Gregg County Criminal District Attorney, once Smith was in jail he reportedly made phone calls to a fifteen-year-old female. Officials said that he was aware of the female’s age and was able to convince her to send him compromising photos through the jail’s texting service.

Smith had also asked the female to place herself on an “app” dedicated to having men pay her for sex. Smith wanted the female to bring him money she would make on that app while he was in jail, Gregg County Criminal District Attorney said.