Four Mexican nationals have been detained following their arrest in the Southern District of West Virginia. Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced the charges, which include illegal reentry for Maximino Montalvo Salas, 20, Federico Montalvo Salas, 22, and Bernabe Montalvo Salas, 24. Julio Cesar Ruiz-Perez, 21, faces charges for the deceptive use of a Social Security account number.
Detention orders were issued by United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn after various hearings. On March 28, 2025, law enforcement officers interviewed each Salas defendant at their workplace in a South Charleston restaurant, revealing their illegal status in the United States and previous deportations. None had obtained legal reentry or identification documents.
A search executed on April 11, 2025, at the residence of the Salas defendants led to the encounter with Ruiz-Perez, who also lacked legal documentation and was using an unauthorized Social Security number for employment.
These actions fall under Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration and organized crime. Operation efforts are supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Johnston stated, "Operation Take Back America and its core enforcement objectives is a top priority of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia." She commended the investigative efforts of several agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, and the Social Security Administration-Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is handling the prosecution. The defendants remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Further information is accessible on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website, with related court documents available via PACER.
