Couple Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Trafficking Crack Cocaine

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Luz Ramirez, 28, and Ralph Quinones, 38, of Central Falls, were sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 60 months in federal prison for conspiring to traffic crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Ramirez and Quinones to serve 4 years supervised release upon completion of their prison terms. Ramirez pleaded guilty on August 12, 2015, and Quinones pleaded guilty on September 3, 2015, to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, in August 2014, as part of an ongoing investigation by the FBI into the trafficking of crack cocaine in Rhode Island, an individual assisting FBI agents arranged for the purchase of crack cocaine from Ralph Quinones. On August 15, 2014, the individual purchased 10.17 grams of crack cocaine from Quinones. On August 21, 2014, the individual purchased 11.67 grams of crack cocaine from Quinones.

According to information presented to the court, Quinones was arrested and detained on September 8, 2015, on an unrelated disorderly conduct charge. Later that same day, after speaking with Quinones by telephone from the ACI, Luz Ramirez contacted the individual who Quinones had sold crack cocaine to on August 15 and August 21, and told the individual that she would be taking care of Quinones’ customers. On September 9 Ramirez sold the individual 25.2 grams of crack cocaine. On October 8 Ramirez sold the individual 8.31 grams of crack cocaine.

Luz Ramirez and Ralph Quinones were arrested on March 6, 2015, and detained in federal custody.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin.

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