Two men have admitted guilt in a case related to the fatal robbery of a drug dealer in St. Louis, Missouri, which occurred in 2022.
Ralph Ruffin, aged 21, entered a guilty plea on Wednesday at the U.S. District Court in St. Louis for two felony charges: conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime resulting in death. Jamie Gore, aged 37, had already pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The incident took place on December 10, 2022. Gore contacted the victim seeking drugs and arranged for him to come to his mother's house located on the 5900 block of Romaine Place. Gore had previously bought drugs from the victim and offered two guns in exchange for more drugs. Once inside the home, Ruffin and an associate opened fire on the victim as Gore led him inside. The victim returned fire but was fatally shot in the throat. Following this, Ruffin and his associate stole the victim's gun, cash, and fentanyl.
Gore also confessed to assisting Ruffin and others in "numerous" previous drug robberies. According to court records, Ruffin would share some drugs with Gore while selling the rest.
Ruffin is set for sentencing on June 4th with both parties agreeing to recommend a sentence of 20 years imprisonment. Gore's sentencing is scheduled for April 23rd; he faces a minimum sentence of seven years.
The investigation was conducted by the Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department alongside the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoff Ogden is handling prosecution duties for this case.