Accused Drug-Running Quartet Indicted

Two men and two women jailed as a result of a DPS investigation on Oct. 29 have been indicted on felony charges, after DPS agents discovered heroin, methamphetamine and packaging paraphernalia in a residence on the unit block of E. 27^th St.

The quartet, consisting of 24-year-old Mario Ramos, 32-year-old Juanita Marie Perez, 24-year-old Ramiro Vera, Jr. and 24-year-old Priscilla Valerie Espinosa, have racked up nine first- and second-degree felony charges between them. All remain in jail since they were initially booked on Oct. 29.

According to court documents, the raid took place as part of an investigation when DPS agents executed a search warrant on the residence. During the raid, Ramos and Perez were found in the middle, west bedroom of the house, where they also located some 2.6 grams of methamphetamine, including packaging.

Another approximately 8.7 grams of heroin was found in the kitchen in a freezer, and agents also seized electronic scales, narcotic packaging materials, US currency, drug paraphernalia and narcotic ledgers.

As a result of the investigation, Mario Ramos was charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance PG1 >/=4 grams<200 grams, a first-degree felony. Ramos was charged only for the heroin located in the freezer.

Juanita Perez, who was located in the bedroom with Ramos, was charged with two counts of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance PG1 >/=1 gram<4 grams for methamphetamine, a second-degree felony enhanced due to a prior Kimble County conviction for failure to appear. She was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a third-degree felony, when DPS agents seized a stolen black .22LR revolver.

Court documents indicate that Vera and Espinosa were located in the northwest bedroom of the residence when the search warrant was executed. DPS Agents found an additional 8.5 grams of methamphetamine in the southwest bedroom during the search, some of which was located in Espinosa’s purse.

Ramiro Vera, Jr. was charged with two counts of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance PG1 >/=4 grams<200 grams for both the meth and the heroin, as well as one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Priscilla Espinosa was also charged with two counts of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance PG1 >/=4 grams<200 grams for both the meth and the heroin.

If convicted, all four face 5-99 years imprisonment and up to a $10k fine for the first-degree and enhanced second-degree felony charges. Perez and Vera could also face 2-10 years imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $10k if convicted on the third-degree firearm charges.

Assistant District Attorney Jason Ferguson is prosecuting Perez and Ramos; Perez will be represented by Fred C. Brigman III, and Ramos will be represented by John E. Sutton. No trial date has been set for either.

Assistant District Attorney Meagan White is prosecuting Vera and Espinosa; Vera will be represented by Joe Hernandez, and Espinosa will be represented by Galen A. Moeller. Neither currently has a trial date.