[StBernard] Teen at center of St. Bernard's largest meth bust gets 30 years for manslaughter

[Westley Annis]

Teen at center of St. Bernard's largest meth bust gets 30 years for
manslaughter

wwltv.com
Posted on November 19, 2013 at 7:19 PM
Updated yesterday at 7:35 PM
WWLTV.com
Email: webteam at wwltv.com | Twitter: @WWLTV

CHALMETTE, La. -- A teenager at the center of the largest methamphetamine
bust in St. Bernard Parish history was sentenced to 30 years of prison
Tuesday for the manslaughter of one of his alleged accomplices.

Jorge Ramirez, 18, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the manslaughter
of 32-year-old Leandro Morales De La Cruz on October 2, 2012. Ramirez also
attempted to kill the victim's brother, 16-year-old Martin De La Cruz.

Ramirez had pleaded guilty on Monday to the charges. The attempted
manslaughter charge, which holds a 20-year sentence, will run concurrently
with the 30-year manslaughter sentence.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said Ramirez traveled from North Carolina to
Chalmette to produce the meth with Leandro Morales De La Cruz and his
brother, Martin. Martin De La Cruz distributed the product in the New
Orleans area while living in eastern St. Bernard Parish.

"The motive for the killing was to steal the narcotics," Pohlmann said after
Ramirez' arrest.

St. Bernard Parish deputies confiscated 10.5 pounds of meth, totaling in
more than $500,000 in value. Pohlmann said it's the largest meth bust in the
parish's history.

Ramirez was being held in the St. Bernard Parish Prison, but he will be
transferred to a state penitentiary after his guilty pleas, Pohlmann said.