Ruskin Armed Career Criminal Sentenced To 15 Years For Illegally Possessing A Firearm
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Guillermo Ramirez, Jr. (46, Ruskin) to 15 years in federal prison for knowingly possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Ramirez had pleaded guilty on March 27, 2019.
According to the plea agreement and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, on December 3, 2016, Ramirez arranged to sell a firearm to an undercover detective from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. When Ramirez and the detective met, Ramirez pulled a Jennings 9mm semi-automatic pistol from his waistband and sold it to the detective. Ramirez then offered to sell the detective more guns.
At the time of this sale, Ramirez had multiple prior felonies, including convictions for aggravated assault, delivery of cocaine, and possession of cocaine with intent to sell. Therefore, he was – and is – prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Taylor G. Stout.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide crime-reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
