FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 08, 2007
MANUEL RAMOS SENTENCED IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on November 8, 2007, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, MANUEL RAMOS, a 32-year-old resident of Manteca, California, appeared for sentencing. RAMOS was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 360 months, concurrent with another sentence
- Special Assessment: $300
- Supervised Release: 10 years
RAMOS was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine and re-entry of a previously deported alien.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On February 5, 2007, two individuals were arrested by the Central Montana Drug Task Force (CMDTF). During an interview, one of the individuals, hereafter referred to as "FI", admitted to possessing approximately one and a half pounds of methamphetamine secreted in the right rear interior panel of her Chevrolet Tahoe.
A search warrant later conducted on this vehicle resulted in the seizure of 720.5 grams of methamphetamine. "FI" identified her suppliers as men she knew as "Juan" and "Nate" and advised that they were staying at her mobile home. She also advised that she had seen the two in possession of large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine. She stated that she had been enlisted by "Nate" to distribute the drugs in the Great Falls area.
The methamphetamine seized from "FI's" vehicle consisted of two separate exhibits. Exhibit one's listed weight was 482.1 grams and exhibit two's listed weight was 234.4 grams. On March 12, 2007, results were received from the DEA Western Laboratory. Exhibit one contained methamphetamine hydrochloride of approximately 42.0% purity, exhibit two contained methamphetamine hydrochloride of approximately 49.6% purity.
On February 6, 2007, RAMOS and the other individual were arrested on state drug charges. Agents had received information that RAMOS and the other individual, at that time not clearly identified, were in possession of a large quantity of drugs and currency. A state search warrant was obtained. A search of "FI's" mobile home resulted in the seizure of 510.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 1,063 grams of cocaine and $29,800 in U.S. currency.
The narcotics seized from the search warrant conducted at "FI's" residence consisted of three exhibits, all located in a bedroom. Exhibit one's listed weight of 280.1 grams (suspected methamphetamine). Exhibit two's listed weight of 1063.7 grams (suspected cocaine). Exhibit three's listed weight of 230.8 grams (suspected methamphetamine). On March 12, 2007, results were received from the DEA Western Laboratory. Exhibit one was determined to consist entirely of cutting agents used to extend quantities of the marketable narcotic. By adding "cut" to methamphetamine, the distributor reduces the purity of the product but increases the amount or weight. As drugs are generally priced and sold based upon weight, not purity, this process generates more income for the distributor. Exhibit two contained cocaine hydrochloride at 90.3% purity, and Exhibit three contained methamphetamine hydrochloride of approximately 47.6% purity.
On March 22, 2007, RAMOS provided a statement regarding his narcotic involvement with "FI." RAMOS stated that prior to his arrest, he traveled with "FI" throughout Montana while she distributed methamphetamine to several individuals. RAMOS stated that he took two pounds of methamphetamine with them in a Ziploc bag and a black garbage bag. RAMOS stated that he and "FI" first traveled to Missoula to meet "FI's" brother. RAMOS stated that "FI's" brother met them at the Comfort Inn in Missoula. RAMOS stated that during the transaction with "FI'" brother, RAMOS retrieved a pound of methamphetamine from the bathroom and gave it to "FI's" brother.
According to records provided by the Comfort Inn in Missoula, Jose Quintero (a known alias for RAMOS), checked into the Comfort Inn on January 24, 2007, and checked out on January 25, 2007. According to the receipt, two adults checked into the room and the registered vehicle was a Chevy Blazer.
On May 1, 2007, "FI's" brother provided a statement to CMDTF agents confirming that he received a pound of methamphetamine from RAMOS at a hotel in Missoula approximately three or four months prior to the date of the interview. "FI's" brother indicated that "FI" was present during the transaction.
RAMOS also stated that he and "FI" traveled to Billings, where they met "FI's" then boyfriend and an unknown male at the Ramada Inn in Billings. RAMOS stated that "FI" provided the unknown male individual one pound of methamphetamine.
Guest registrations from the Ramada Inn in Billings confirmed that "FI" checked into the Ramada Inn on January 22, 2007, and checked out January 24, 2007. According to the receipt, two adults occupied the above-mentioned room.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that RAMOS will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, RAMOS does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl E. Rostad prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Central Montana Drug Task Force and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
