Man Indicted in Fentanyl Death of Central Fire Protection District Captain

SAN JOSE — A suspected fentanyl dealer is in custody facing 20 years to life in prison after an investigation that started with a tragic discovery at a Capitola fire station.

It all started Jan. 12, when Central Fire Protection District Capt. Steven Ramirez, 54, was found dead at Station 4, where he had spent much of his 34-year career as an emergency responder. An investigation found that Ramirez had been battling opioid addiction following an on-the-job injury years earlier, and that he’d been communicating with a San Jose suspected drug dealer nicknamed “Little Mister,” according to court records.

Now, federal prosecutors have charged Rumaldo Mister Manzanares, whose age was not available, with distributing fentanyl and causing the death of a person. It is a charge that carries a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum life sentence.

The complaint alleges that Manzanares sold “counterfeit” opioid pills to Ramirez, labeled as Percocet, but which actually contained fentanyl, a much stronger synthetic painkiller responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year. Counterfeit painkillers are mass produced by drug cartels because they’re cheaper to make and can be sold for higher prices, according to the FBI.

Manzanares is scheduled to be arraigned on April 10, and remains in federal custody at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas, records show. He cannot be bailed out.

Ramirez, a firefighter of 34 years, is described in an online fundraiser as “a cherished husband, father, and friend, as well as a dedicated leader in the fire service community,” who left behind four children as well as “countless family members, friends, and fire personnel who loved him dearly.”

The criminal complaint spells out how prosecutors came to charge Manzanares, starting with the discovery of Ramirez’s body in his room at a Central Fire Protection District in Capitola. The complaint doesn’t name Ramirez, but describes the exact date, location, and circumstances of his death, which line up with public reports and Ramirez’s obituary.

The complaint says two colleagues attempted to rouse Ramirez from his bed during an early morning call for service, only to discover their friend and colleague had died at some point during the prior evening. In one of Ramirez’s phones, investigators reportedly found text messages between Manzanares and Ramirez in which Ramirez indicated he was suffering from withdrawals and wanted to buy pills as soon as possible.

Authorities allege that Manzanares was driving to Los Angeles to buy counterfeit Percocet pills from a supplier and returning to his San Jose home to sell them at a markup.

Jason Nee, the fire chief of the Central Fire Protection District, issued a statement stating the entire department is “deeply saddened” and still struggling to cope with Ramirez’s loss. He said the incident is a reminder of the need for colleagues to “advocate for” and “empower” one another to “prevent anyone from suffering in silence.”

“Being a firefighter is a difficult job; our members are consistently exposed to challenging situations, both emotionally and physically. These experiences take a toll on all of us. We are not superhuman; we are human, and we suffer from all the same stresses and challenges that all humans do,” Nee said. “We want our members to take advantage of the support systems that are in place to help during physical or emotional challenges.”

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