CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In a stark reminder of the illegal immigration’s grip on West Virginia, Julio Cesar Ruiz-Perez, 21, has pleaded guilty to possession of a counterfeit Social Security card with intent to defraud the United States. The Mexican citizen, living in Charleston without legal status, was sentenced to time served and faces removal.
On April 11, 2025, during a search warrant at a Charleston residence, law enforcement stumbled upon Ruiz-Perez. ICE confirmed his illegal status and found the counterfeit card in his possession, intended to deceive authorities about his eligibility to work in the U.S.
The sentence follows thorough investigative efforts by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security. Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston praised the agencies for their diligent work.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger oversaw the hearing, while Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage prosecuted the case, part of Operation Take Back America – a nationwide initiative to combat illegal immigration and organized crime.
Operation Take Back America leverages resources from various task forces, aiming to eliminate cartels, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and violent crime in communities like Charleston.
A press release detailing the case can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related documents are accessible on PACER by searching Case No. 2:25-cr-86.
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Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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