Parolee Charged with Torture, Kidnapping, Domestic Violence

District Attorney Tim Ward has announced criminal charges against Richard Ray Ramirez, age 49, for a weekend incident in Visalia involving an adult female. Ramirez was arrested on October 8, 2023.

Ramirez, a former law enforcement officer in Tulare County, is charged with three felony counts – torture, injury to a significant other after a prior conviction, and kidnapping. The charges are enhanced with special allegations that Ramirez possesses prior serious felony convictions, strikes, and served a prison term, that he was in a position of trust, that the crimes were committed while on parole, and that the crimes included the personal infliction of great bodily injury under circumstances of domestic violence.

During the alleged crime, Ramirez was on parole for a May 2021 domestic violence conviction. In that case, a Tulare County jury found Ramirez guilty of felony dissuading a witness, felony stalking, misdemeanor battery, misdemeanor corporal injury to a significant other, making annoying phone calls, and disobeying a court order. The crimes were committed against three victims.

Ramirez was sentenced to 5 years, 8 months before being released due to time served and other in-custody credits by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

At arraignment, Ramirez entered a not guilty plea and remains in custody on no bail. A preliminary hearing conference / bail hearing is scheduled for October 19, 2023, in Department 3. If convicted of all charges, Ramirez faces life in prison.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494