California Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela T. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on November 10, 2026.

Martin Ramirez, 45, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Ramirez was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in July 2025. He pleaded guilty on September 1, 2026.

In 2022, Ramirez connected with individuals in western South Dakota to distribute methamphetamine. He was ultimately responsible for sending or receiving several pounds of methamphetamine and further distributing it to individuals involved in the conspiracy.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET), and the Drug Enforcement Administration. UNET is comprised of law enforcement from the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, the Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the South Dakota National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward C. Tarbay and Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

Ramirez was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.