Milwaukee man, Ramone J. Locke Sr., 37, was sentenced to 12 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release for his role in distributing cocaine in the city’s North Side, as announced by U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Court records revealed that Locke was caught with two kilograms of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment in his vehicle, with an admission during his guilty plea that he trafficked between five to fifteen kilograms of cocaine.
Locke's return to drug trafficking wasn't a solo endeavor; he obstructed justice by trying to intimidate a witness and was deemed to have supervised others in the drug trade by United States District Judge Lynn Adelman. According to a US Department of Justice report, beyond drug trafficking, he was also connected to violence, intimidation, and firearms. Despite past convictions for money laundering and using a telephone in the aid of drug trafficking, Locke, a three-time federal defendant, descended back into the depths of the narcotics underworld.
U.S. Attorney Haanstad underscored the importance of Locke's severe sentence, stressing the cumulative effort of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to establish security in the district. Haanstad commended their dedication, stating, "The sentence imposed in this case was the direct result of tireless work by federal, state, and local law enforcement – all of whom are dedicated to making the Eastern District of Wisconsin as safe as possible for everyone who lives and works here," as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon highlighted the significance of this case as it demonstrates the necessity of holding those who threaten the community with violence and drug trafficking accountable. Sheriff Schmaling of the Racine County expressed his pride in the deputies who uncovered the fentanyl-laced cocaine during a seemingly routine traffic stop, citing the incalculable number of lives potentially saved. "It is impossible to measure the number of lives saved by these deputies, the subsequent prosecution, and ultimately conviction of this dangerous criminal," said Sheriff Schmaling, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
This case was investigated by the cooperation of several law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the Racine County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Halopka-Ivery and Kevin Knight, culminating in a result that reflects the ongoing efforts to combat drug-related violence and trafficking.
