Jesus Ramirez, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Minnesota 2014

MINNEAPOLIS— A violent kidnapping in St. Paul has led to the indictment of four men for their roles in a large-scale methamphetamine-trafficking organization.

The indictment, returned on May 5, 2014 and unsealed today, charges Jesus Ramirez, 31, of Los Angeles, CA; Jonatan Delgado Alvarez, 22, of Los Angeles, CA; Juan Ricardo Elenes Villalvazo, a.k.a. Chapo, 32, of St. Paul, MN; and Antonio Navarro a.k.a. Tony Sanchez, 19, of St. Paul, MN.

The indictment alleges that Ramirez, Alvarez, Villalvazo, and Navarro participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to the indictment, Navarro and Villalvazo maintained a stash house in St. Paul for storing large amounts of methamphetamine for distribution as part of the conspiracy.

On April 14, 2014, defendants Ramirez and Alvarez flew from Los Angeles, California to Minnesota in response to a report that approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine had been stolen from the stash house two days earlier. On the evening of April 14, the four defendants kidnapped two victims at gunpoint and held them captive against their will at the stash house.

The defendants bound and beat the victims and made violent threats against their lives and the lives of their family members, while demanding information about the missing methamphetamine. According to the indictment, Villalvazo cut one of the victim's fingers, nearly severing it, while Ramirez held the victim down.

After determining that the victims had no information about the missing drugs, the defendants released them. Upon leaving the stash house at approximately 7:30 p.m. on April 15, Navarro was arrested by law enforcement officers, who had surrounded the premises.

All four defendants were charged with one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. In addition, the indictment alleges that Ramirez carried a firearm and used it to kidnap and threaten the victims.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/four-indicted-drug-trafficking-crimes-involving-violent-kidnapping-st-paul