ALICE WOMAN CHARGED WITH MAIL AND WIRE FRAUD IN ADOPTION SCAM

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - A young woman from Alice, Texas, has been arrested and charged with wire fraud and mail fraud arising from a scheme to obtain money and property from persons seeking to adopt a child, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

Belinda Ramirez, 24, of the 1200 block of Stonegate Street in Alice, Texas, was arrested today by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A criminal complaint filed under seal on May 19, 2006, was unsealed this afternoon during Ramirez's initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge. The criminal complaint accuses Ramirez of devising a scheme utilizing the mail and telephone to obtain money and personal property from families seeking to adopt a child by means of fraudulent representations.

According to allegations contained in the affidavit in support of the complaint, beginning in August 2005 and continuing through May 2006, Belinda Ramirez, using various aliases, contacted at least three families seeking to adopt a child. During these contacts, she allegedly describes herself and the baby's father, provided details regarding her pregnancy, sent photographs and told the families she had selected them to adopt her as yet unborn child. Most of the couples contacted had their adoptive parent profiles listed on Internet websites.

In the contacts with prospective adoptive families from Florida, California and New York alleged in the complaint, Belinda Ramirez's address and cellular telephone number were provided as contact information. In some instances, the families were asked to add money to a specified Wal-Mart gift card to allow Ramirez to purchases items she claimed she needed for her pregnancy, including medication. Some of the families did, depositing amounts ranging from $150 to $500 on the gift card. Others would send new gift cards or other items to Belinda Ramirez's residence in Alice, Texas, as instructed. In yet another instance, a prospective adoptive family, acting on instructions, sent approximately $1,500 in mailgrams and a new cellular telephone to Ramirez. According to the affidavit, Ramirez was not pregnant during the relevant time period.

A search of Ramirez's home on Stonegate Street conducted in late March 2006 resulted in the discovery of empty packages sent via U.S. Mail or FEDEX by prospective adoptive families from Florida and New York. A search of Ramirez's home computer files revealed images consistent with those allegedly sent to adoptive families.

Ramirez appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Brian L. Owlsey in Corpus Christi this afternoon. The United States has asked the court to detain Ramirez without bond pending further criminal proceedings, alleging Ramirez poses a danger to the community. Ramirez will remain in federal custody pending a hearing on the government's motion on Friday, May 26, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. A preliminary examination or probable cause hearing has been scheduled for the same time.

Wire fraud and mail fraud each carry a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, upon conviction.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of investigation in coordination with and the able assistance of the Alice Police Department and the Texas Rangers. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elsa Patterson.

A criminal complaint is an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

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