Puerto Rico resident charged with assaulting federal officers, failing to register as sex offender and firearms offenses

A four-count indictment was filed in federal court charging a Puerto Rican man with assaulting federal officers and failing to register as a sex offender, as well as firearms offenses, law enforcement officials said.

Luis Cruz-Ramos, 30, was indicted on one count each of assaulting federal officers, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of crime of violence, failing to register as a sex offender, and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

“This defendant is a threat and does not belong in society,” said Carole S. Rendon, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

“The U.S. Marshals Service and the members of our task force will not rest when it comes to dangerous fugitives like Cruz-Ramos,” said U.S. Marshal Peter Elliott. “We, along with local police departments and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will make sure that Cruz-Ramos will answer for his heinous charges in Puerto Rico and to the U.S. government for crimes he committed while on the run.”

Ramos was wanted on an arrest warrant when he was assaulted two special deputy U.S. Marshals on April 1, and brandished a firearm to do so, according to the indictment.

Ramos also failed to register as a sex offender between 2013 and 2016 after traveling to Ohio. He also possessed ammunition on April 1, despite a prior conviction for sexual assault that precluded him from having ammunition, according to the indictment.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer following an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Ohio State Highway Patrol.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.