Michael Ray Acosta, 48, currently incarcerated at Pleasant Valley State Prison, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana within the prison facility. This announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court filings reveal that between May 23 and August 27, 2021, Acosta utilized an illicitly obtained cellphone to orchestrate a series of drone deliveries carrying contraband into Pleasant Valley State Prison. His co-conspirators—Joshua Gonzalez, Jose Oropeza, Rosendo Ramirez, and David Ramirez Jr.—operated drones that flew over the prison grounds, releasing packages that contained illegal substances. Once these packages were delivered, Acosta and his accomplices retrieved the contraband for further distribution among the inmate population. The items smuggled into the facility included methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, cellphones, cellphone accessories, and other prohibited goods. Acosta was one of five individuals federally charged as part of Operation Night Drop, a comprehensive multi-agency initiative aimed at addressing the increasing prevalence of drone incursions at correctional institutions.
Jose Oropeza is scheduled for sentencing on July 28, 2025, while David Ramirez is set to enter a guilty plea on the same date. Joshua Gonzalez and Rosendo Ramirez are next expected to appear in court on June 11, 2025.
This case resulted from a collaborative investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Federal Aviation Administration, with additional support from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio J. Pataca.
The investigation falls under the purview of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which is dedicated to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling high-level criminal organizations that pose a threat to the United States through a coordinated, intelligence-driven approach led by prosecutors.
