United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced on July 23 that Jose Gerardo Ruiz Alonso, 36, of Mexico, was charged in a criminal complaint in federal court in the District of Nebraska for being an alien unlawfully in the United States in possession of firearms. Ruiz Alonso appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson on July 22 and was detained pending trial.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 21, the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed search warrants at Ruiz Alonso’s Omaha residence and business. Law enforcement seized approximately 71 firearms and several hundred rounds of ammunition from his business, as well as two additional firearms and ammunition from his residence. The complaint states that Ruiz Alonso is not a United States citizen and was not legally present in the country. Federal law prohibits aliens unlawfully present in the United States from possessing firearms.
The case is being investigated by multiple agencies including the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Omaha Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Bellevue Police Department, La Vista Police Department, and Council Bluffs Iowa Police Department.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska advances community well-being through coordinated law enforcement efforts that safeguard residents; uses facilities located at both the federal courthouse in Omaha and federal building in Lincoln; serves as part of the U.S. Department of Justice; prosecutes federal crimes while handling civil cases for the government; serves all areas within Nebraska; and collaborates with various law enforcement agencies to enhance public safety, according to the official website.