Julio Cesar Ruiz-Perez, a 21-year-old Mexican citizen residing in Charleston without legal status, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served for possessing a counterfeit Social Security card with the intent to defraud the United States. Following his sentencing, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed an immigration detainer on Ruiz-Perez so he can be transferred into ICE administrative custody for removal proceedings.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in Charleston on April 11, 2025, where they encountered Ruiz-Perez. ICE agents confirmed his Mexican citizenship and unlawful presence in the country. During the search, officers found a counterfeit Social Security card bearing his name. Authorities said Ruiz-Perez lacked any legal identification documents that would permit him to reside legally in the United States. He possessed the fraudulent document to falsely verify eligibility for employment.
“Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
The hearing was presided over by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage as part of a special unit within the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia dedicated to immigration enforcement under Operation Take Back America.
Operation Take Back America is described as a nationwide initiative using Department of Justice resources to counter illegal immigration, combat cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and address violent crime through coordinated efforts involving Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Information related to this case can be accessed via PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-86.
