Mexican Nationals Charged With Illegal Reentry & Social Security Fraud

Thursday, April 17, 2025, 3:15 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

CHARLESTON, W.VA.- On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia ordered four Mexican nationals remained detained after being charged in connection with illegal reentry into the United States, including one charged with Social Security fraud.

     Maximino Montalvo Salas, 20, Federico Montalvo Salas, 22, and Bernabe Montalvo Salas, 24, were each charged with Illegal Reentry into the United States by a Previously Deported Alien. Julio Cesar Ruiz-Perez, 21, was charged with Deceptive Use of a Social Security Account Number.

     After being charged on Wednesday, all four made their first appearance in separate hearings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosnin in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and were ordered detained pending trial.

According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston and charging information filed in the federal criminal complaints, on March 28, 2025, federal law enforcement officers interviewed each of the Salas in South Charleston, West Virginia, where they were employed. Officers quickly determined that each of the Salas had previously been deported from the United States, and had no identification documents permitting their legal status in the United States.

     During further investigation, law enforcement officers determined that all three had illegally reentered the country without first obtaining permission or legal authorization to do so.

     On April 11, 2025, law enforcement officers obtained and executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence in South Charleston, West Virginia, where all three Salas were living. During the search Officers encountered Ruiz-Perez. Officers determined that Ruiz-Perez was also illegally in the United States and possessed a Social Security number that was not legally issued to him that he subsequently used to obtain employment in the Southern District of West Virginia.

“The rules of the federal court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”