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Press Release

Two Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Admit Conspiring to Sell Heroin in South Jersey

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. – Two members of a large-scale drug trafficking organization have admitted conspiring to distribute hundreds of grams of heroin throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
 
Valerie Resendes, 27, of Beachwood, New Jersey, and Rashawn Ramos, 37, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, both pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court. Resendes pleaded guilty today to an information charging her with one count of conspiring to distribute heroin. On Dec. 16, 2014, Ramos pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

In March 2014, 21 alleged members of the “Britt-Young DTO,” a drug trafficking organization named after its leaders Robert Britt and Rufus Young, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute heroin. Of those 21 individuals, 10 have pleaded guilty.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Resendes admitted that between February 2013 and March 2014, she conspired with Young and others to distribute heroin in Ocean and Monmouth counties. During this time, Resendes possessed and sold more than 400 grams of heroin.

Ramos admitted that from November 2013 through March 2014, he received numerous packages of heroin and cocaine at his residence in Perth Amboy. The packages were sent from California via the U.S. Mail. Ramos later transferred the packages to another conspirator, who distributed the narcotics to others in New Jersey, including members of the Britt-Young DTO. Altogether, Ramos received at least 1,000 grams of heroin and 1,500 grams of cocaine.   

The narcotics conspiracy charge to which Resendes pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $1 million fine. The narcotics conspiracy charge to which Ramos pleaded guilty carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Sentencing for Resendes and Ramos is set for March 10, 2015, and March 24, 2015, respectively.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, Red Bank Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford; officers of the Brick Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Nils R. Bergquist: and officers of the Toms River Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mitchell Little, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty pleas. He also thanked special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge George Belsky; inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Maria L. Kelokates; officers of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni; and officers of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, for their work on the investigation. He also thanked the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office and the Neptune Township, Asbury Park, Marlboro, Long Branch and Freehold police departments for their roles in the case.

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Defense Counsel:

Ramos: Anthony Simonetti Esq., Hightstown, New Jersey
Resendes: Lawrence G. Welle Esq., Wall, New Jersey

Resendes, Valerie Information
Ramos, Rashawn Information

Updated August 20, 2015