Mother and son duo Mary Ann and Earl Ramos were today handed down federal prison sentences for their brazen sales of deadly synthetic cannabinoids (K2) and cathinones (bath salts) from two eastern Iowa locations.
United States Attorney Kevin Techau emphasized the gravity of the threat posed by these illicit substances, stating that ‘synthetic drugs are illegal and present a grave danger to our community, particularly our children.’
The Ramos family faced federal charges following an investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement. The DEA’s Resident Agent in Charge Scott Smith highlighted the agency’s commitment to dismantling criminal organizations involved in the production and distribution of synthetic drugs, emphasizing that these substances ‘serve no legitimate purpose other than to generate a powerful intoxication for the user while generating enormous illicit profits.’
Mary Ann Ramos, 53, from Evansdale, Iowa, was found guilty on June 26, 2014, of distributing XLR-11 and alpha-PVP, as well as possession with intent to distribute these synthetic drugs. She received a sentence of 60 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay a special assessment of $400.
Her son, Earl James Ramos, age 26, also from Evansdale, pleaded guilty on June 13, 2014, to distributing the controlled substance analogue pentedrone. He was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release and a special assessment of $100.
Both Mary Ann and Earl Ramos are currently being held in the custody of the United States Marshal’s Service pending transfer to federal prison, where they will serve their sentences without the possibility of parole.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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