Illegal Alien from Mexico Pleads Guilty to Illegally Reentering the United States and Possessing Firearm as a Felon

ROANOKE, Va. - A Mexican citizen, living illegally in Danville, Virginia, pled guilty to illegally reentering the United States after a prior removal and unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon and alien illegally in the United States.

Fernando Bahena Ruiz, 28, was charged based on an incident that occurred March 25, 2026.

According to court records, several people called 911 on March 25, 2026 to report gunfire in a Danville neighborhood. One person saw muzzle flashes coming from Bahena Ruiz's backyard. Officers arrived and saw Bahena Ruiz carrying a gun before he went back inside his house.

Officers ultimately took Bahena Ruiz into custody, then executed a search warrant on his house, where they found a handgun, magazines, ammunition, and fraudulent immigration documents, including a green card and Social Security Card bearing false names.

Officers also found at least 71 spent shell casings on Bahena Ruiz's back porch and peyote plants containing mescaline, both Schedule I controlled substances, in Bahena Ruiz's basement.

First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Special Agent in Charge Eric Weindorf of Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. made the announcement today.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Danville Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is prosecuting the case for the United States.