Palmer man could face death penalty in Meadow Lakes double-murder

ANCHORAGE — More than eight months following the death of two Mat-Su residents in Meadow Lakes, federal and state officials said Thursday that John Pearl Smith II of Palmer has been charged with the murders.

Acting US Attorney Bryan Schroeder said at a Thursday morning Anchorage press conference that Smith was indicted this week by a federal grand jury not only for his involvement in the deaths of 30-year old Crystal S. Denardi and 43-year old Ben. G. Gross, but also on numerous other felonies. Among the 18 counts three counts of interference of commerce by robbery, three counts of attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, six counts of use of a firearm in relationship to a crime of violence and drug trafficking crime resulting in murder, and felon in possession.

Denardi and Gross were found in the early morning of June 5, 2016 at a property on West Coal Road. When police and EMT personnel arrived on-scene at the location near Cloudy Lake, they found an unattached garage/shop building fully engulfed. Denardi’s and Gross’ bodies were found inside the structure. A third person was injured but treated and released from the hospital. Autopsies later revealed both Denardi and Gross had died from gunshot wounds.

“Because the case is under indictment, I cannot comment on the facts of the case other than the facts that are in the indictment,” Schroeder said.

Schroeder said the investigation leading to Smith’s arrest was extensive. Alaska State Troopers (AST) was the first investigating agency. Following the shooting, police said they believed both victims were selected for a specific reason. Schroeder said federal departments, including the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) were involved in bringing the case to fruition. Schroeder said in late June of 2016, Pearl was being held at on federal charged of felon in possession of a firearm stemming from two additional and separate home invasion-robbery incidents.

“This investigation is a great example of that partnership, as the Alaska State Troopers, who led the investigation, brought in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration to assist the Alaska Bureau of Investigation and the Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit Mat-Su Office. The result was that John Pearl Smith II was initially indicted and held on federal charges of being a felon in possession of firearms shortly after the murders, which allowed state and federal authorities to finish the investigation, which uncovered additional robberies,” acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder said.

Smith is believed to have been involved with a number of armed robberies between September of 2015 and the day Denardi and Gross were found. Federal officials stated they believe Smith’s crime spree targeted people he believed were involved in drug trafficking.

A press release issued through the Anchorage U.S. Attorney Office stated “special findings” make Smith eligible for the death penalty, if he is convicted in federal court, including evidence that the murders were premeditated. Part of those special findings, federal officials stated, is because the grand jury found the homicides occurred after “substantial planning and premeditation” The release stated “...pursuant to Department of Justice policy, the attorney general of the united states will decide whether Smith will face the death penalty if convicted.”

Alaska doesn’t have the death penalty. Pearl is being held without bail at Cook Inlet Pretrial in Anchorage.