Camden man sentenced to 85 months in prison in cocaine distribution scheme
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
September 18, 2012 |
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden, N.J., man was sentenced today to 85 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to possess and distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in October 2011, a jury found Ramon Martinez-Ruiz, 35, guilty of one count of conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; one count of attempting to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; and one count of aiding and abetting others in their attempts to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:
On July 28, 2009, an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led to the seizure of approximately five kilograms of cocaine from a drug courier who had checked in to an airport motel in Elizabeth, N.J. Martinez-Ruiz conspired with others, including Ruben Sepulveda, 46, and Raul Hernandez, 34, both of Camden, to travel from Camden to the motel to take possession of the cocaine, intending to distribute it in the Camden area. Martinez-Ruiz, Sepulveda and Hernandez were arrested when they arrived at the motel. Approximately $10,000 in cash was seized from Hernandez when he knocked on the door of the motel room where the cocaine was seized, as the defendant, Martinez-Ruiz, stood watch outside.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Kugler sentenced Martinez-Ruiz to five years of supervised release.
Both Sepulveda and Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and were previously sentenced to 30 months and 45 months in prison, respectively.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents and task force officers of the HSI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Andrew M. McLees for the investigation leading to today’s sentence.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric W. Moran of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Trenton and Charlton A. Rugg of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark.
12-335
Defense counsel: Troy A. Archie Esq., Cinnaminson, N.J.
