CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Dania Ramos, 41, formerly of Linconton, N.C., appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler today and pleaded guilty to failing to report to federal prison and contempt of court, announced Jill Westmoreland Rose, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
U.S. Attorney Rose is joined in making today’s announcement by Thomas J. Holloman III, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI).
According to filed documents and today’s court proceedings, on March 20, 2012, U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. sentenced Ramos to 48 months in prison for her role in a false claims conspiracy, in case number 3:11cr75-04. The conviction stemmed from Ramos’s role in a conspiracy to defraud the government by filing fraudulent tax returns seeking refunds totaling more than $5 million, by using stolen identity information of individuals in Puerto Rico.
At her sentencing hearing, Ramos was ordered to abide by the previously imposed conditions of release, including that she immediately advise the court, defense counsel, and the U.S. Attorney in writing before any change of address; that she surrender to serve any sentence imposed; and that she travel only in the Western District of North Carolina. Ramos was specifically advised by the court that the U.S. Marshals would send her a letter telling her when she would begin serving her sentence.
According to filed documents and today’s court proceedings, on April 16, 2012, the U.S. Probation Office received information that Ramos could not be located or contacted. On or about May 8, 2012, the U.S. Marshals Service sent a report notification to Ramos via certified mail directing Ramos to report to FCI/SFF Hazelton WV on June 12, 2012. Ramos failed to report as required and her whereabouts remained unknown until Dec. 23, 2015, when Ramos was arrested at the border of Mexico and the United States in Texas attempting to enter the United States.
Ramos is currently in federal custody. The failure to report charge carries a maximum prison term of 5 years and a $250,000 fine. The criminal contempt charge carries a maximum prison term of life imprisonment or a fine. A sentencing date for the defendant has not been set yet.
The investigation was handled by the IRS-CI. The prosecution for the government is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny G. Sugar of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
