Whatcom deputies allegedly find 562 fentanyl pills during domestic violence investigation
Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputies reportedly found 562 suspected fentanyl pills while arresting a man suspected in a domestic incident, in which he allegedly showed up at his ex’s place of work and then wouldn’t let her leave her car for about a half hour.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office booked Javier Vera Ramirez, 28, into Whatcom County Jail Monday, Feb. 21, on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, fourth-degree assault, interfering with reporting domestic violence, unlawful imprisonment and stalking.
Deputies were called at approximately 7:28 p.m. Monday to a home north of Bellingham for the report of a domestic dispute, Whatcom County Superior Court documents state.
Once arriving, deputies spoke to the victim, and according to court documents she reported:
▪ She had gotten off work at approximately 6:30 p.m. and, as she was entering her vehicle, found Vera Ramirez, whom she had a previous relationship with, inside her vehicle.
▪ Vera Ramirez had previously followed her to work several times and somehow figured out where she lived in a home provided by the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County while she was in the process of applying for a no-contact order.
▪ With Vera Ramirez in her car, the victim drove to pick up her children, but Vera Ramirez prevented her from exiting the car for approximately 40 minutes, grabbing her and pulling on her to keep her in the car.
▪ Vera Ramirez also grabbed the victim’s phone, preventing her from calling 911.
▪ The victim used another car arriving in the area as a distraction to exit the car, but Vera Ramirez followed her inside and continued to pinch and grab her and tell her to leave with him.
▪ A resident discreetly asked the victim if she need 911 called, and the victim said she did.
A witness reported hearing Vera Ramirez tell the victim if she didn’t leave with him things would “go bad,” court documents state.
Deputies developed probable cause to arrest Vera Ramirez and he was taken into custody without incident.
During the investigation, Vera Ramirez took off his coat and put it on a sofa, according to documents. A resident inside the home moved the jacket and a white box reportedly fell out.
Inside the box, deputies found 562 blue pills suspected to contain fentanyl, documents state.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Tl’ils Ta’á’altha Victims of Crime: 360-325-3310 or nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
