CAMDEN, N.J. – A fugitive from justice who was captured in the Dominican Republic on July 12, 2022 by the US Marshals Service and other law enforcement officials in the Dominican Republic has been returned to the United States to serve his prison sentence, US Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
In 2006, Ramona Cruz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. In 2007, Cruz was sentenced to 40 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He was given the opportunity to voluntarily surrender to the United States Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at a later date. About three days before his surrender date, Cruz cut off his ankle bracelet and fled to the Dominican Republic to avoid prison, where he remained a fugitive until his recent arrest.
The narcotics charge to which Cruz pleaded guilty stems from illegal narcotics activity in 2005, in which he participated with his co-defendant (and brother) Ramon Dejesus. In July 2005, an individual was arrested upon entering the United States while in possession of approximately three kilograms of cocaine. Later, while under law enforcement surveillance, Cruz and Dejesus came into possession of a suitcase that they believed contained the cocaine. The investigation revealed that all three individuals involved had been in contact with the same narcotics contact in the Dominican Republic. Dejesus also pleaded guilty to the narcotics charge and has since served his prison sentence.
United States Attorney Philip Sellinger accredited special agents from the US Marshals Service, under the direction of Sheriff Juan Mattos Jr., and special agents from the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Cherry Hill Bureau and Bureau of the Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard W. Reinhold, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Carey of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office in Camden.
