Evansdale mother, son sentenced to federal prison for selling synthetic drugs

CEDAR RAPIDS - An Evansdale mother and son were sentenced Monday in federal court for selling and distributing synthetic drugs, commonly known as K2 and bath salts, in 2013.

Mary Ramos, 53, was sentenced to five years in prison. A jury found her guilty last June of distribution of a controlled substance XLR-11, distribution of a controlled substance analogue Alpha-PVP, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance XLR-11 and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance analogue Alpha-PVP.

Her son Earl 'E.J.” Ramos, 26, was sentenced to over four years in federal prison. He pleaded last June to one count of distribution of a controlled substance analogue.

Earl Ramos, former manager of the Five Star Snacks store, 315 Fletcher Ave., in Waterloo, admitted at his plea hearing to selling bath salts or incense items that contained illegal substances to confidential informants in October 2012. He also admitted to knowing that they were illegal substances and would be used for human consumption or smoking.

The Ramos' are the first federal defendants convicted of synthetic drugs in Eastern Iowa.

According to evidence at Mary Ramos' trial, she sold the products out of the I-Wireless store, 1551 First Ave SE, in Cedar Rapids, that she managed. The incidents occurred May 28, June 19 and June 26, 2013.

Her attorney Mike Lahammer during the trial argued that she didn't know the substances she sold were illegal and didn't know the effects of the substances.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Chatham argued Monday that Mary Ramos was selling these 'dangerous” drugs that are sold in bright and colorful packaging and have names like 'Mr. Happy” and 'Insane” in an effort to appeal to minors or teens.

The prices, packaging and how she handled the products isn't consistent with her not being aware of what she was selling. She operated like a 'drug dealer,” keeping the products out of public view in the store and meeting buyers at different hours of the night.

U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade pointed out the evidence at trial of a recorded controlled buy where Mary Ramos offered undercover officers rolling papers with their purchase of the drugs. Someone wouldn't need rolling papers with potpourri or bath salts, she said.

Reade said she 'reluctantly” varied down from the guidelines to five years and it was only based on the prosecutor's recommendation.

Reade also said she was 'astounded” that Mary Ramos took out a loan on her car, which was seized for forfeiture by the government. She took the money and paid off her motorcycle.

Mary Ramos told the court and her family she was sorry. She wasn't selling the products as drugs. She also said she made those loan payments on the car so she would have something to keep working.

Earl Ramos also said he was sorry and that it had been horrible for him and his family.

Chatham argued during his hearing that he was told by officers that the substances were illegal in May 2012 and he continued to sell the items. He only changed the way he sold them. He stopped advertising them.

In 2013, when his store in Waterloo and his mother's store were raided, as part of the Project Synergy national drug raid, he started selling the drugs again a few months later, Chatham said.

Following Monday's hearing, U.S. Attorney Kevin Techau, along with several other representatives from various agencies such as DEA, Tri-County Drug Enforcement, Cedar Rapids police and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

'Iowans can be very proud of the hard work and cooperation by federal, state and local law enforcement that brought these important cases to a successful conclusion,” Techau said.

DEA Agent in Charge Scott Smith said synthetic drugs continue to be a problem in Eastern Iowa but the joint efforts of various agencies have helped identify and shutdown much of the illegal operations.

Techau said the dangerous drugs are unregulated and the potency keeps changing because the drugs continue to be altered to skirt the laws. The drugs can have adverse effects including anxiety, paranoia, tremors and even death.