Capture of FBI Fugitive Esteban Ramos-Cruz

Christopher M. Piehota, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Office, announces this morning’s capture of Esteban Ramos-Cruz, 25 years old, a federally indicted member of the 7th Street Gang, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Ramos-Cruz has been an FBI fugitive since May 2011. He was recently profiled on an episode of America’s Most Wanted that aired on Friday, January 6, 2012, on the Lifetime Network.

On May 5, 2011, FBI Buffalo’s Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF) arrested multiple members of the 10th Street and 7th Street Gangs. Soon after, 7th Street Gang member Ramos-Cruz fled and remained an armed and dangerous fugitive until his capture this morning. Ramos-Cruz was indicted on the following federal charges: murder in aid of racketeering in connection with the murder of a 10th Street member/associate Eric Morrow; use, carry, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and narcotics conspiracy.

Following the profile of Ramos-Cruz on America’s Most Wanted on January 6, FBI Buffalo received a tip from an AMW viewer who relayed information that placed Ramos-Cruz in the Springfield, Massachusetts area. Further investigation by FBI Buffalo revealed a specific location for Ramos-Cruz, and this morning members of the FBI’s Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, which is composed of the Massachusetts State Police, DEA, Hampden County Sheriff, and police from Springfield, Lee, Chicopee, and Pittsfield, along with the U.S. Marshals, arrested Ramos-Cruz.