Camden Drug Dealer Sentenced to More Than 19 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Conspiracy and Firearms Possession

CAMDEN, N.J. — Wilson “Behe” Ramirez was sentenced today to 234 months in federal prison for his role in a Camden-based drug conspiracy and for illegal possession of a gun, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. Ramirez, 33, of Merchantville, N.J., pleaded guilty on May 10, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine; and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. Judge Bumb also imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

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

Ramirez admitted that between April 2008 and March of 2009, he, along with coconspirators Luis Gonzalez and Joan Guillermo, agreed to buy cocaine from Mario Estrada-Espinoza, a Camden-based cocaine trafficker. Ramirez packaged and resold that cocaine to his customers in and around the city of Camden, including at the corner of 7th and York Streets. Ramirez also admitted to paying down his and Gonzalez’ drug debt by providing Estrada-Espinoza with guns, including a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber hand gun on December 31, 2008.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Bumb sentenced Ramirez to five years of supervised release.

Ramirez’ co-defendant Gonzalez previously received a sentence of 108 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy. Guillermo received a year and a day in prison. Estrada-Espinosa is a fugitive.

Fishman credited special agents of the DEA’s Camden Resident Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge John G. McCabe Jr.; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Camden Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew W. Horace, for the investigation of the case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.