Illegal immigrant indicted for drug trafficking and weapons charges

Joel Hendon
FBI News Examiner




Tomas Ramirez Poulino
Photo credit: Marshall County AL Sheriff's Dept.

A federal grand jury yesterday indicted an illegal immigrant in Boaz, Alabama for drug trafficking and weapons violations related to the distribution of methamphetamine this year and also in 2009.

An 11-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Tomas Ramirez Poulino, 38, with possessing with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine in Marshall County on April 21, 2009. It also charges Poulino with possessing a handgun in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime and with possessing the gun while being in the United States illegally.

Marshall County authorities arrested 38-year-old Tomas Ramirez Poulino in April. He was charged with three counts of trafficking meth and two counts of distribution of meth.

“Sheriff Scott Walls said the county's Drug Enforcement Unit, Albertville Police and the FBI were all involved in the month-long investigation that led to the arrest of Tomas Ramirez Poulino, 38, of 829 Maggie Drive.”

A pound of methamphetamine seized in Boaz raid; suspected trafficker held on $5 million bond | al.com

“Poulino illegally possessed a Colt .45 pistol on April 19, 2012, in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and as an illegal alien in the United States, according to the indictment. It also charges him with being in the country illegally on April 19 after previously having been deported to Mexico on June 22, 2009, July 15, 2009, and Sept. 1, 2009.” (USDOJ press release)

“Possessing with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Possessing with intent to distribute at least five grams of methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Possession a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense carries a mandatory minimum five-year sentence to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, and possession a firearm as an illegal alien carries a maximum 10-year sentence.

Unauthorized re-entry into the country by an illegal alien carries a maximum 10-year sentence.” (Ibid)
The FBI reminds everyone that an indictment means that one is suspected of those things charged against them but they are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.




source: Illegal immigrant indicted for drug trafficking and weapons charges - National FBI News | Examiner.com