Convicted fugitive drug trafficker captured and returned to United States to serve sentence
NEW JERSEY – A fugitive from justice who was captured in the Dominican Republic on July 12 by the U.S. Marshals Service and other law enforcement officials in the Dominican Republic has been returned to the United States to serve her prison sentence, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Thursday.
In 2006, Ramona Cruz pleaded guilty to an indictment charging her with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. In 2007, Cruz was sentenced to a term 40 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, Sellinger said.
Cruz was given the opportunity to voluntarily surrender to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at a later date. Approximately three days prior to her surrender date, Cruz cut off her ankle bracelet and fled to the Dominican Republic to avoid prison, where she remained a fugitive until her recent apprehension, Sellinger said.
The narcotics charge to which Cruz pleaded guilty to stems from illegal narcotics activity in 2005, which she took part in with her codefendant (and brother) Ramon Dejesus, Sellinger said.
In July 2005, an individual was apprehended upon entry into the United States while in possession of approximately three kilograms of cocaine. Later, while under surveillance by law enforcement, Cruz and Dejesus took possession of a piece of luggage which they believed contained the cocaine, Sellinger said.
The investigation revealed that all three individuals involved had been in touch with the same narcotics contact in the Dominican Republic, Sellinger said.
Dejesus also pleaded guilty to the narcotics charge and has since served his prison sentence, Sellinger said.