Intrigue Surrounds Felon Caught Up in Probe of Missing Gavin Smith

Sentencing in a two-year-old drug case has been delayed for a West Hills man caught up in the current probe into the disappearance of a Fox film executive Gavin Smith, according to a video report from NBC4.

Currently in custody, defendant John Creech, 39, was free on his own recognizance at the time Smith disappeared in early May, said the report.

Authorities investigating the Smith case home on June 8.

Creech has not been charged with any crime in connection with Smith but at a court appearance in late June, he was remanded into custody by Superior Court Judge Clifford Klein, said the television station.

Creech has said he's never met Smith but his wife Chandrika met Smith in therapy, according to an unnamed source cited by the Los Angeles Times, said the report.

According to NBC4, sheriff's search warrant affidavit and return for the Creech house have been sealed; however, a cover page referred to probable cause for suspicion a felony had been committed at the house.

Sheriff's investigators have not divulged what they learned from the search, said the report.

The Smith case is still being investigated as a disappearance and at this point has not been determined to be a homicide, according to Steve Whitmore, spokesman for LA County Sheriff’s Department, said the report.

Creech had originally been arrested by Glendale Police, who alleged that a 2010 surveillance operation observed Creech making a drug drop at a unit in a Chatsworth business park.

If convicted, Creech faces up to 10 years in the drug case which has become enmeshed in intrigue.

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Smith's family has for information that will lead to the missing executive, who was last seen May 1 in Oak Park.

The 57-year-old was driving a 2000 black Mercedes-Benz 420 E with tinted windows, a roof rack and California license 6EKT044.

Smith is white, about 6 feet 6 inches tall and has graying blond hair and green eyes.

Smith has a goatee, a roughly 4-inch scar on his right inner wrist and a 5-inch scar on one of his calves, according to the sheriff's detectives.

In 1975, Smith was a member of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden's last national championship team.

Smith's three sons have searched along canyon roads for their father's car to no avail.

Smith, who lives in West Hills, is a long-time Fox distribution executive who worked in Calabasas. He was last seen driving away from a friend's home in the 500 block of Kellwood Court, where he had been staying.

Smith's family has set up a website -- findgavinsmith.com.

His son, Evan Smith, is a forward on the USC basketball team and has turned to Twitter in an attempt to find his father.

Anyone with more information as to his whereabouts was asked to call detectives at 323-890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. Anonymous tips can be submitted to http://lacrimestoppers.org.