Press Release
Local Resident Gets Significant Sentence for Meth Trafficking
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas
HOUSTON – A 37-year-old Mexican national who resided in Huntsville has been ordered to federal prison for more than 17 years following his conviction of possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Rando Saavedra-Ramirez pleaded guilty Sept. 12, 2016.
Today, U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon sentenced Saavedra-Ramirez to 210 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release.
Law enforcement discovered Saavedra-Ramirez would be delivering several kilograms of methamphetamine on July 14, 2015. They set up surveillance at his home and followed him as he drove away in a 2005 BMW. He arrived at a storage unit and picked up a package.
Authorities conducted a traffic stop, but Saavedra-Ramirez restarted his car and fled the scene. A high speed chase ensued with Saavedra-Ramirez travelling at speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour. He then began swerving in and out of different lanes and exited the highway.
Determining it was not safe to follow him, law enforcement continued surveillance via helicopter as Saavedra-Ramirez exited the highway, stopped at shopping plaza, took the package out and placed it on the bed of a nearby truck. He then tried to enter into a nearby business.
He was arrested before he could flee. Authorities soon discovered 2.79 kilograms of methamphetamine in the package.
Saavedra-Ramirez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the joint investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharad S. Khandelwal is prosecuting the case.
Updated April 28, 2017
Topic
Drug Trafficking
Component