FBI Arrests Doral Auto Shop Owner in Alleged Murder for Hire Plot Targeting Celebrity Car Designer
In a shocking case tied to Miami’s luxury car customization industry, the FBI has arrested Rolando Ramirez, owner of Doral Collision Center, for allegedly orchestrating a murder for hire plot in 2019 against renowned celebrity car designer Alex Vega.
Vega—famous for customizing vehicles for stars such as Marc Anthony, Usain Bolt, and other international celebrities—survived the attempted ambush outside his home in southwest Miami-Dade, which authorities now link to the murder for hire plot.
The federal indictment, unsealed on August 7, 2024, charges Ramirez and two alleged accomplices, Rasheed Ali (aka “Fresh”) and Tamrat Mason (aka “Shifta”), with several federal crimes connected to the murder for hire plot, including:
Solicitation to commit a violent crime
Interstate stalking
Conspiracy to use and carry a firearm
Obstruction of justice
According to prosecutors, Ramirez and Ali recruited Jaime Serrano and Julian Jimenez to travel from New York to Florida to carry out the murder for hire plot against Vega. Both men were later convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in the failed assassination attempt.
Investigators believe the murder for hire plot was motivated by professional jealousy and rivalry in the high-stakes world of Miami’s luxury auto design. Vega’s company, The Auto Firm, has become a nationally recognized brand for crafting custom vehicles for athletes, artists, and other high-profile figures.
Vega’s attorney thanked federal investigators for their dedication to justice and requested privacy for the Vega family as legal proceedings continue surrounding the murder for hire plot.
This case shines a light on the dangers of professional rivalries escalating into violence and the importance of federal intervention in dismantling organized attempts like this murder for hire plot in South Florida.
Additional details reported by the Miami Herald reveal how the suspects allegedly coordinated the attack with calculated planning and premeditated violence, highlighting the severity of the murder-for-hire plot.
Allegations like murder-for-hire plots, conspiracy, or interstate crimes are among the most serious offenses in federal and state court. If you or someone you know is being investigated or has been charged in connection with a violent crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the stakes.
At Dustin Tischler Law, we defend clients facing complex, high-level charges—including violent crime conspiracies, firearm offenses, and obstruction of justice. We understand how prosecutors build these cases, and we know how to fight back with strategic, aggressive defense.
Your future and freedom are too important to leave to chance.
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