Laredo lawyer admits paying nearly $50,000 in drug-trafficking proceeds to ensure drug defendant's silence
DALLAS - A lawyer practicing in Laredo, Texas, pleaded guilty on Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Irma C. Ramirez to a one-count Information charging interstate travel in aid of racketeering, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Alonzo Ramos, 40, who is free on bond, faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, according to the plea agreement, he will surrender "any and all of his licenses to practice law, and he shall cease practicing law." Sentencing is set for July 5 before U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay.