Prior felon charged with illegal reentry

BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Miguel Angel Ruiz Guevara, 53, a citizen and national of El Salvador, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with re-entry of removed aliens and re-entry of previously deported or removed aliens following a felony conviction, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on August 29th, 2025, investigators encountered Ruiz Guevara at a hotel in Bowmansville, NY. They approached the room that he was staying in and questioned Ruiz Guevara regarding citizenship. Ruiz Guevara did not have any documents that would allow him to be or remain in the United States lawfully, presenting instead an El Salvadorian passport. Further investigation determined that he was ordered removed from the United States on three occasions, in 1992, 2005, and 2011. In addition, in September 2004, Ruiz Guevara was convicted of DUI for the third time, a felony.

Ruiz Guevara made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge David Banks.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.     

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