On Thursday, the United States revealed an indictment that accuses 27 individuals of federal drug and firearm offenses in and around the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade County. Among those charged are employees of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, commercial charter boat operators, and a former City of Marathon employee.
Thirteen individuals, namely John Robert Strama Jr., Rusty John Stiglitz, Daniel Fernando Ramirez, Daniel Delgado, Orlando Rene Gonzalez, Alfred Michael Nunez, Elvis Lazaro Ruiz, Pedro Luis Lugo Jr., Nyran Antonio Ross, and Tyrell Lamar Williams, have been indicted. The charges against them include conspiring with each other, their co-defendants, and others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more grams of cocaine in Monroe and Miami-Dade counties.
Strama, a convicted felon, is also facing additional federal charges. These charges include cocaine distribution, using a child under the age of 14 to engage in drug trafficking and evade detection and capture, as well as possessing a firearm and ammunition after being previously convicted of a felony.
The defendants were taken into custody at different locations on September 5 and started appearing in the Southern District of Florida.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of FBI, Miami Field Office.
The FBI Miami Field Office, with support from the Homestead Police Department, Miami-Dade Police Department, FBI Detroit Field Office, and U.S. Probation, conducted an investigation into the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. McLaughlin is responsible for prosecuting the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Maranda is in charge of handling asset forfeiture.
In a court of law, all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, as an indictment only consists of allegations.