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SAN FRANCISCO – June, 2025
Avelino Ramirez, 52, of Vallejo, California, pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud for orchestrating a scheme to plant contraband in state prisons—contraband he would later “discover” to bolster his professional record and secure a promotion.
The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani.
Contraband Scheme Spanned Multiple Facilities
According to court documents and Ramirez’s plea agreement, from October 2021 to February 2024, Ramirez smuggled and planted various forms of contraband in San Quentin State Prison and later at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, where he served as a K-9 Officer and later as a K-9 Sergeant.
Items planted included:
- Narcotics such as methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine (often mixed with salt, sugar, or lawn trimmings)
- Tobacco and drug paraphernalia
- Cell phones and weapons
Ramirez would then conduct staged “discoveries” of these items during prison searches and file official reports to gain recognition and build a record of success, with the goal of securing a promotion.
Fraudulent Overtime Pay
Ramirez also submitted fraudulent claims for overtime compensation, citing extended hours related to the planted contraband discoveries. He obtained approximately $8,200 in overtime through these false claims.
Legal Proceedings and Penalties
Ramirez was indicted on October 31, 2024, and pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. He is currently out on bond and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge William H. Orrick.
He faces:
- A maximum sentence of 20 years in prison
- A $250,000 fine
Final sentencing will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal statutory factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Case Information
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin K. Kleinman, with support from Amala James and Lance Libatique. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, visit: justice.gov/usao-ndca
