A Rockford man has been sentenced to over six years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearm possession. Jovino Ramirez, 35, pleaded guilty earlier this year to possessing cocaine and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, as well as possessing a loaded handgun related to his drug trafficking activities. U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston sentenced him to 78 months in federal prison.
Ramirez's plea agreement revealed that during a traffic stop in May 2024, he was found with 19.1 grams of cocaine and 1.9 grams of methamphetamine, which he attempted to hide from police. Additionally, he had a loaded handgun under the driver's seat of his vehicle and admitted he intended to sell the cocaine.
The sentencing announcement came from Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher C. Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The Illinois State Police assisted in the investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Rosati and Lisa R. Munch represented the government.
Federal prosecution of illegal firearm possession is a key part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In the Northern District of Illinois, PSN aims to address various violent crime issues, particularly those involving firearms.
