Jerome Gang Member Sentenced to Twelve Years in Prison for Firearms Offenses

BOISE –Vicente Rene Ramirez, Jr., also known as Little Gangster, 33, of Jerome, Idaho, was sentenced today to 144 months in prison for unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a sawed-off shotgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.  Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Ramirez to serve five years of supervised release following his release from prison.  Ramirez pleaded guilty on August 27, 2015.

According to court proceedings, Ramirez was found to be in possession of a sawed-off shotgun and a .22 revolver on February 11, 2015, in Jerome County.  Ramirez, who had previously been convicted of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, was prohibited from possessing any firearm.  When questioned by law enforcement, Ramirez stated that he was a proud Norteno gang member who always carried a sawed-off shotgun.  Ramirez admitted that he worked as “muscle” for a local drug dealer.

The case was investigated by the Jerome County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.