A former guard and five others have been indicted for their involvement in smuggling methamphetamine and fentanyl into a Seattle jail. The indictment, handed down by federal authorities, accuses the former guard and five co-conspirators of engaging in a sophisticated operation to smuggle illicit drugs into the Seattle jail.
Mosses Ramos alledgedly accepted bribes to bring methamphetamine and fentanyl into the jail for two inmates who remain incarcerated. This inmates were Michael Anthony Barquet, 37, and Francisco Montero, 25. Ramos had worked at the jail for 17 years. Three additional co-conspirators are associates of the two inmates includes: Neca Silvestre, 38, of Kent; Katrina Cazares, 38, of Burien; and Kayara Zepeda Montero, 27, of Seattle.
The defendants allegedly facilitated the entry of methamphetamine and fentanyl, two highly dangerous and addictive substances, into the facility. The indictment indicated that more than 50 grams of meth were smuggled into the King County Jail.
The indictment stated, “Fentanyl and meth are horribly destructive in our community, and our correctional institutions are not immune. The challenge of keeping inmates safe is made much more difficult when correctional staff betray their positions of trust and authority,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “I credit King County law enforcement officials with working quickly and cooperatively with the FBI to identify those allegedly involved in this bribery and drug smuggling conspiracy.”
Ramos is charged with soliciting and accepting a bribe. Two of the inmates are also charged with bribery. All of the 6 defendants are charged with possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to engage in bribery.
