ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal drug and firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
Ramon Martinez-Silva, 38, pleaded guilty to one count at Criminal No. 14-26 Erie and one count at Criminal No. 15-20 Erie before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in the case at Criminal No. 14-26 Erie, from on or about May 16, 2013, to on or about Aug. 26, 2013, Martinez-Silva and a co-defendant conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Martinez-Silva sold cocaine on four occasions in Erie, Pennsylvania. In addition, at Criminal No. 15-20 Erie, Martinez-Silva possessed a firearm while being a convicted felon. According to information provided to the court, Martinez-Silva obtained a Marlin 9mm semi-automatic rifle from an individual at a residence in Erie and was then caught by law enforcement officers after selling that gun. Martinez-Silva was prohibited from firearm possession because of two prior felony convictions.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for April 19, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both for the drug charge and 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both for the gun charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the government.
The EAGLE task force, which is comprised of members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Erie Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Martinez-Silva.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
