Rolled up dollar bill next to a pile of white powder and a plastic bag

A rolled-up dollar bill is placed next to a pile and a plastic bag of white powder, suggesting illegal drug activity. By MDL.

Local

Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Conspiracy, Faces Decades in Prison

Ron Ramirez Jr. pleaded guilty to drug charges, faces up to 84 years. He was involved in a drug trafficking operation.

byEditorial Staff

September 24, 2025, 6:37 PM

Executive Summary

Ron Ramirez, Jr. pleaded guilty to multiple federal drug charges, including conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.

Ramirez played a critical logistical role, recruiting a courier to transport cocaine supplied by Los Chapitos (Sinaloa Cartel) for distribution in Florida.

The cases against Ramirez’s alleged co-conspirators, Esequiel Maldonado and Martin DeJesus Maldonado, Jr., are still pending trial, following a collaborative investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.

Laws and Precedent

Ron Ramirez, Jr. pleaded guilty to federal charges including conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and the use of a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking crimes, which fall under federal statutes that mandate a minimum sentence of five years and up to 84 years in federal prison for such offenses.

Texas resident Ron Ramirez, Jr., 24, pleaded guilty today to multiple federal drug charges, including conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and the use of a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking crimes. Ramirez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 84 years in federal prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization.

Details of the Operation

According to court documents, Ramirez played a critical logistical and communication role within the illicit network. He acted on behalf of co-defendant Esequiel Maldonado, recruiting and compensating Schuyler Jordan Thompson to serve as a courier.

Ramirez orchestrated Thompson’s flight to Polk County, Florida, where the courier was to retrieve cocaine supplied by Los Chapitos, a known faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. The illicit drugs were then to be delivered to Martin DeJesus Maldonado, Jr. in Lee County, Florida, for distribution.

Martin DeJesus Maldonado, Jr. subsequently distributed the cocaine across the Middle District of Florida and arranged for drug proceeds to be returned to Esequiel Maldonado, completing the trafficking cycle.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

While Ramirez has entered a guilty plea, the cases against his alleged co-conspirators, Esequiel Maldonado and Martin DeJesus Maldonado, Jr., are still pending trial. Further details regarding their legal proceedings are expected to emerge as the federal investigation continues.

Investigation and Prosecution

This extensive case was a collaborative effort involving several law enforcement agencies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation, with significant assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police.

Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray is prosecuting the case, underscoring the Department of Justice’s commitment to disrupting large-scale drug trafficking operations.

Ramirez’s guilty plea marks a significant step in the federal government’s efforts to dismantle a complex drug trafficking network. Authorities continue to pursue justice against all individuals involved in the multi-state operation.