Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

LAREDO, Texas – A previously convicted drug trafficker has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. Ramiro Hernandez Jr., 40, of Laredo, pleaded guilty Feb. 5, 2018.

Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña sentenced him to 235 months imprisonment. On supervised release when he committed the crime, the court revoked that term and further ordered he serve an additional 18 months to be served consecutively.

In handing down the sentence, the court noted Hernandez was a career offender, having two prior federal drug trafficking convictions, another for being felon in possession of a firearm, and that this is his new reality when he keeps living this kind of life. Judge Diana Saldaña also mentioned that heroin addiction is a nightmare, and Hernandez was spreading that nightmare to the rest of our community.

The investigation began Oct. 13, 2017, when law enforcement learned Hernandez was holding undocumented aliens in his apartment. One had escaped and reported Hernandez had assaulted him and he was held against his will.

Authorities went to the apartment and discovered 148 grams of heroin, 89 pounds of marijuana and a .40 caliber handgun. Upon searching Hernandez, they also discovered an additional 50 grams of heroin hidden in his rectum.

He 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher dos Santos prosecuted the case.

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