PROVIDENCE, RI – Even behind bars, Ronald M. Kramer, 39, of Providence, continued to push poison onto the streets and peddle illegal firearms. Kramer was sentenced today to 78 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The sentence comes after Kramer pleaded guilty last August.
Federal prosecutors detailed how Kramer, while locked up at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) in February 2021, wasn’t cooling his heels. He actively directed his drug trafficking operation, seeking to unload a firearm he wasn’t legally allowed to possess. Kramer allegedly contacted his then-girlfriend, tasking her with finding a buyer for the gun. That buyer turned out to be an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The operation didn’t stop at just the firearm. At Kramer’s direction, his girlfriend then delivered over 244 grams of methamphetamine pills to the same undercover agent, completing two separate transactions. From his jail cell, Kramer orchestrated the entire deal, proving that incarceration isn’t always a barrier to criminal activity. The sheer volume of meth involved highlights the scale of Kramer’s ongoing operation, even while facing unrelated charges.
Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron prosecuted the case, built on the investigative work of the ATF, with crucial support from the Providence Police Department. The successful sting operation underscores the ATF’s commitment to stemming the flow of illegal firearms and narcotics, even when criminals attempt to operate from within the prison system.
United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha emphasized that this case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The PSN strategy focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing enforcement, and measuring results.
Cunha also extended thanks to the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Marshals Service, Rhode Island State Police, and the Pawtucket, Providence, Cranston, and North Providence Police Departments for their assistance in bringing Kramer to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder that criminals will exploit any opportunity, and law enforcement must remain vigilant to disrupt their operations at every turn.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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