Former Michigan Senate member pleads guilty to felony, misdemeanor charges

DETROIT – The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday former Michigan state Sen. Virgil Smith Jr. pleaded guilty to a felony and a misdemeanor charge.

Smith was charged in 2015 in connection to a shooting incident that involved his ex-wife. He was accused of shooting Anistia Thomas' Mercedes-Benz.

According to authorities, Smith pleaded guilty to the felony charge of malicious destruction of property over $20,000 or more, and the misdemeanor charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.

Smith accused Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy of vindictive prosecution in 2019 after an earlier guilty plea was changed.

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In 2016, Thomas testified that she went to Smith’s home on Wexford Street and she found another woman naked in the bed. She said a fight broke out in which Smith reportedly punched her in the face and rammed her head into the floor after she fell into a TV.

The other charges Smith was arraigned on -- felonious assault, domestic violence assault and battery and felony firearm -- were dismissed as a part of the plea.

Smith is expected to return to court Oct. 28 for sentencing.

More: Detroit crime news