A chilling tale of business disputes, a deadly threat, and a shocking hit for hire has culminated in the conviction of three South Florida men, bringing a brutal murder-for-hire plot to justice. After a federal jury delivered its verdict on May 21st, Rolando Ramirez, 52, and Rasheed “Fresh” Ali, 39, now face the possibility of life behind bars for their roles in the August 2019 near-fatal shooting of a local businessman.
Tamrat “Shifta” Mason, 41, was also found guilty of tampering with the investigation.
The saga began with a contentious federal lawsuit between Ramirez and the victim, former business partners locked in a dispute over a non-competition clause. The victim emerged victorious, a win that apparently didn’t sit well with Ramirez. Court records reveal a chilling threat made during settlement negotiations: “In due time, I will kill you.”
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That ominous promise soon became a terrifying reality. According to trial evidence, Ali and Mason, who had an outstanding debt from New York marijuana distributor Jaime Serrano, saw an opportunity to clear the books. Ali allegedly told Serrano he could wipe out his debt by executing a hit for a friend – a “snitch” former business partner of Ramirez, who, Ali claimed, considered himself “Cuban Mafia.”
On August 28, 2019, Serrano, alongside Julian Jimenez, carried out the calculated attack, leaving the victim with near-fatal injuries. The subsequent investigation uncovered a web of deceit, revealing that Ramirez, Ali, and Mason had actively tampered with the probe to conceal their involvement.
This conviction isn’t the first triumph for justice in this case. In a separate proceeding, Julian Jimenez previously pled guilty and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Jaime Serrano, found guilty by a federal jury, received an even harsher sentence of 50 years for his part in the shooting.
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U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of FBI Miami announced the convictions, commending the diligent work of FBI Miami, with crucial assistance from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office.
Ramirez and Ali are scheduled for sentencing on September 5th before U.S. District Court Judge Roy K. Altman, where they could face life in prison for their shocking crimes. This case serves as a stark reminder that even the most elaborate and cold-blooded plots eventually unravel under the relentless pursuit of justice.
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