Former King County Jail Guard pleads guilty to bribery and drug distribution

Seattle – A former King County Jail guard pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to bribery and distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl pills, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Former jail employee Mosses Ramos, 40, of Milton, Washington had been a King County jail guard for 17 years before he was fired last year. When sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez 0n September 13, 2024, Ramos will face up to 20 years in prison.

According to records filed in the case, between March and May 2023, Ramos accepted bribes to bring about a pound of methamphetamine and 100 fentanyl pills into the jail for the benefit of inmates Michael Anthony Barquet, 37, and Francisco Montero, 25. Both men are currently incarcerated. Montero is facing trial in King County Superior Court for a double homicide. Barquet is scheduled for trial on drug and bribery charges in October 2024.

The web of bribes and drug trafficking extended outside the jail with three female coconspirators who are alleged associates of the two inmates: Neca Silvestre, 38, of Kent; Katrina Cazares, 38, of Burien; and Kayara Zepeda Montero, 27, of Seattle. All three remain charged in the case.

Bribery is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Drug distribution is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

While Ramos has accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty, the other defendants in this case have not and are presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the King County Sheriff’s Office with support from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy Chang and Vince Lombardi.