An Orrville man who had a federal judge removed from his case pleaded guilty Tuesday before another judge.
The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently granted Eric R. Ramey’s request to have U.S. District Court Judge John Adams removed from his counterfeit case. Ramey claimed he used opiates with two of Adams’ relatives for an extended period.
Adams objected to this removal, saying it was without merit and questioning the truth of Ramey’s claims.
Ramey, 30, pleaded guilty to passing and creating counterfeit bills in federal court in Akron. He will be sentenced at 10 a.m. Aug. 17 by U.S. District Court Judge Sara Lioi. The potential penalty is 20 years in prison, though the sentencing range is expected to be six to 37 months.
Ramey’s attorney has said his crimes were the result of his drug problem.
“Eric is looking forward to the rest of his life,” said Carlos Warner, Ramey’s federal public defender. “Eric sincerely apologizes to his community for passing counterfeit money. His crimes were motivated by his addiction, which he is addressing in treatment.”
This was the second time Adams was removed from a case in less than a year. The Cincinnati-based appellate court removed Adams last September from the city of Akron’s long-pending firefighter promotions lawsuit, a step requested by attorneys for both the firefighters and the city.
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 identifying the men because they are not facing any criminal drug charges.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow on Twitter: @swarsmithabj and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/swarsmith.