An Orrville man who had a federal judge removed from his counterfeit case was sentenced Tuesday to 35 months in prison.
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year granted Eric Ramey’s request to have U.S. District Court Judge John Adams removed from his case. Ramey claimed he used opiates with two of Adams’ relatives for an extended period. Adams objected to his removal, saying it was without merit and questioning the truth of Ramey’s claims.
U.S. District Court Judge Sara Lioi took over Ramey’s case, with Ramey pleading guilty May 17 in federal court in Akron to passing and creating counterfeit bills.
Lioi sentenced Ramey on Tuesday to 35 months on each of his two charges, with the terms to be served concurrently. She also ordered that he be put on three years of supervised release and pay $219 in restitution and a special assessment of $200.
Ramey faced a maximum of 20 years in prison, though the sentencing range was expected to be six to 37 months.
Ramey’s attorney has said his charges were the result of his drug problem.
“Eric, with the support of his family, will recover from his longstanding addiction,” said Carlos Warner, Ramey’s federal public defender. “He accepts responsibility for his mistakes. I am very proud of the strides he has made in the past year.”
In a petition filed with the appellate court, Ramey said he and two of Adams’ relatives used opiates together for 14 months, which he called “a clear conflict requiring recusal.”
The Beacon Journal is not naming Adams’ relatives because they are not facing any criminal drug charges.