Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Heroin, Immigration Charges
Ever Astorga-Ramirez, 33, who most recently resided in Phoenix, Arizona, entered a plea of guilty on November 2, 2012, to Possession With the Intent to Distribute Heroin (Count 1) and Illegal Re-Entry Into the United States Following Deportation (Count 2) the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
At sentencing, which is currently scheduled for February 7, 2013, Astorga-Ramirez faces a minimum term of ten (10) years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, a $100 special assessment, and at least five years of supervised release on Count 1, a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine, one year of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100 on Count 2. According to public documents filed with the Court, Astorga-Ramirez was arrested by the Illinois State Police on September 9, 2012, following a traffic stop on Interstate 55/70 in Madison County, Illinois.
Evidence in support of the complaint was obtained in an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Illinois State Police, and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI). This case has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Randy G. Massey for prosecution.
