But federal investigators write off people like Ms. Carr as small-time operators.

I don't get pushed around much by small-time operators like you.

Most were small-time operators, out for a quick buck.

The problem now, officials say, is figuring out how to discourage the small-time operators.

We let a few small-time operators stay in business, because there's always a certain level of demand.

When a syndicate operation tries to move in, we give our small-time operators protection.

Until he arrived on the scene, builders were small-time operators, employing multiple subcontractors.

Righthaven has no problem going after small-time operators (read our profile of the company and its tactics).

It was sketchy at best, and he doubted that such small-time operators would be able to recruit someone like Taran'atar.

He's a small-time operator who wants to be thought big.