HURRICANE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Eight men were taken into custody Friday after a traffic stop in Hurricane led state and federal authorities to a nearby residential work site, according to the West Virginia State Police.
State Police said troopers working with officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcementstopped a red 2024 Ford F-250 around 12:30 p.m. near Sleepy Hollow Drive and Oakmont Drive because of equipment violations.
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The driver was identified as Miguel Angel Alvarado Molina, a Honduran national, police said.
Following the stop, investigators went to a home in Hurricane, where seven additional men were seen working on the roof. Police said ICE officers contacted the homeowner, who gave permission for officers to enter the property.
According to authorities, an ICE officer climbed a ladder to speak with the workers. During the interaction, one of the individuals picked up a nail gun, prompting the officer to climb back down the ladder. No injuries were reported.
Teays Valley Fire was later called to the scene to assist for safety reasons. “On Friday, January 9, 2026, at 1:42 p.m., Teays Valley Fire was dispatched to assist state law enforcement working within its service district for safety purposes,” Teays Valley Fire Chief Cody Smoot said in a statement released Sunday.
After additional units arrived, the men came down from the roof and were taken into custody without incident, according to State Police.
All eight individuals were detained by ICE on allegations of being unlawfully present in the United States. No additional charges were announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.
