Third Defendant Sentenced in High-Grade Meth Distribution Ring

RICHMOND, Va. – Jose Alfonso Romero-Ramirez, aka “El Tio” and aka “Oscar Romero,” age 51, of Los Angeles, California, and formerly of Richmond, was sentenced today to 85 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for distribution of methamphetamine.

Romero-Ramirez was found guilty by a federal jury on February 4.  According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, an investigation was initiated by federal and state law enforcement agencies into a methamphetamine drug trafficking organization that was involved in the distribution of super-meth lab grade methamphetamine, with purity levels well in excess of 90 percent.  The methamphetamine was being sent from California to Richmond for distribution.  Co-conspirators Luis Mendez and Darlin Efren Arias-Dias previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced in this case.   

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HIS); and Gordon B. Johnson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela Mastandrea-Miller prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:15cr043.