A judge sentenced a man to five years in prison for possessing a backpack with a large amount of methamphetamine when officers stopped him outside of a drug house in Woodstock.
James E. Ramirez, 38, of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, was charged in January 2021 with meth delivery between 15 and 100 grams, possession of meth between 15 and 100 grams, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Woodstock Police Department was conducting surveillance on January 17, 2021.
Officers were investigating a residence in the 1500 block of Moraine Drive in Woodstock after receiving concerns from a neighbor regarding potential drug dealing by the residents, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said officers observed a dark-colored sedan leave the home and commit a traffic violation.
Officers conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Ramirez.
Ramirez was driving on a revoked license and placed under arrest. He was transported to the Woodstock Police Department.
Officers conducted a custodial search of Ramirez’s vehicle and located a backpack containing a large amount of methamphetamine, prosecutors said. The drugs totaled approximately 60 grams.
Officers also recovered other items indicative of the sale of narcotics, including a scale and over a dozen clonazepam pills.
Court records show Ramirez entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office last week.
He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of meth between 15 and 100 grams, a Class 1 felony, in exchange for his other charges being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis approved the plea and sentenced Ramirez to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections
McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally said he “recognizes the diligence and commitment of the Woodstock Police Department in addressing the concerns of their community.”