Arrest Made in Phoenix for Harboring Illegal Aliens

Hector Ambrosio Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican national, has been arrested and charged with harboring illegal aliens following a raid on a Phoenix residence. The arrest took place on October 7, 2026, after agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a federal search warrant at the location, which was suspected to be a stash house for illegal immigrants.

During the raid, investigators discovered twelve individuals hiding in a closet. Ruiz was among them and was notably the only one wearing shoes. Law enforcement confirmed that all twelve individuals were citizens of foreign countries without legal authority to reside in the United States.

The U. S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is handling the prosecution.

Details of the Investigation

The investigation revealed several suspicious details about the residence. Multiple pairs of shoes were found scattered in the backyard and kitchen, and a box containing 12 cellphones was located in the garage. Investigators also noted that the deadbolt locks on the exterior doors had been replaced with double-cylinder deadbolt locks, which require a key to unlock from both the inside and outside. Additionally, the kitchen and living room were devoid of furniture, suggesting the space was not used for typical residential purposes.

Ruiz had his own bedroom, while the other eleven individuals shared a single room. Among those arrested were Hugo Ipolito Ramirez-Vasquez, Eulogio Perez-Sanchez, Santos Antonio Giron-Castro, and Obias Alexander Perez-Perez. These four individuals were separately charged with re-entry of a removed alien. Ramirez-Vasquez, Giron-Castro, and Perez-Perez had been previously removed from the United States in April 2026, while Perez-Sanchez was removed in November 2025.

Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties

A criminal complaint has been filed against Ruiz, marking a formal accusation of criminal conduct. It is important to note that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, Ruiz faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and a maximum term of three years of supervised release for the charge of harboring illegal aliens.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations. The operation leverages resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, overseeing the prosecution. The case numbers associated with these charges are 26-MJ-8436, 26-MJ-8429, 26-MJ-8428MJ, 26-MJ-8427, and 26-MJ-8433MJ.