Illegal Alien from Mexico Charged with Possessing Firearm and Fraudulent Immigration Documents

ROANOKE, Va. - A Mexican citizen, living illegally in Danville, Virginia, was arraigned in federal court this week on charges of illegal reentry of a previously removed alien, unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon and alien illegally in the United States, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of fraudulent immigration documents.

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

According to court records, several people called 9-1-1 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.

Officers also found at least 71 spent shell casings on Bahena Ruiz's back porch and peyote plants containing mescaline (a Schedule I controlled substance) 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.

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.