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. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Colorado State Patrol trooper injured in shooting; suspect killed Crime and Public Safety | Denver police create food truck zones in LoDo for late-night, weekend mobile eateries Crime and Public Safety | Denver grocery stores are locking up or cordoning off more products. But it depends on the neighborhood. Crime and Public Safety | Denver police restrict late-night weekend food truck operations in LoDo — again Crime and Public Safety | Inside the investigation of a CBI scientist’s years of misconduct: “God forbid we have someone in prison that shouldn’t be” 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. Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.