A man who was a fugitive and fled with his girlfriend when Tulsa police officers tried to arrest him pleaded guilty to drug charges today, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Jose Pizana Ruiz, 45, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In his plea agreement, Ruiz admitted to possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of the drug.
His codefendant Brittany Paige Coffee previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
On Sept. 17, 2020, Tulsa Police Officers approached Coffee’s vehicle and attempted to arrest fugitive Ruiz, a passenger in the car. In response, Coffee drove out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed, almost running over officers. The vehicle was eventually involved in a collision near 1500 W. Highway 412. Ruiz and Coffee ran from the crash scene but were not apprehended at the time. Officers discovered three firearms in the wrecked vehicle.
Ruiz and Coffee were eventually located at a Tulsa residence in and around a different vehicle parked in the driveway. Officers arrested Coffee in the vehicle. Ruiz was arrested after a brief foot pursuit. Officers found a purse in the vehicle containing Coffee’s Oklahoma identification card as well as a black case containing 585 grams of methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn A. McCormick prosecuted the case.
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