According to court documents, on September 1, 2026, Charles Reeser, 20, allegedly pointed a loaded AK 47 style rifle at two Homeland Security Investigations agents who were assisting the U.S. Marshals Service with a warrant operation in Las Cruces.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Photo: Courtesy
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man has been charged in federal court after allegedly pointing a loaded AK 47 style rifle at two Homeland Security Investigations agents who were conducting surveillance as part of an unrelated warrant operation.
According to court documents, on September 1, 2026, Charles Reeser, 20, allegedly pointed a loaded AK 47 style rifle at two Homeland Security Investigations agents who were assisting the U.S. Marshals Service with a warrant operation in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The agents were conducting surveillance at an apartment complex for a wanted subject and had no prior interest in Reeser. He was first observed by the HSI agents due to Reeser manipulating the AK 47 inside his car, then stepping outside to point the AK47 at a passing vehicle. Reeser was wearing a ski mask despite temperatures approaching 100 degrees.
The HSI agents relocated to a different area for tactical advantage. As they were relocating, Reeser allegedly stepped into the middle of a residential street, assumed a shooting position and aimed the rifle directly at the agents from approximately 20 yards away. Believing they were about to be fired upon, the agents ducked and took evasive action. One of the agents later told the court that Reeser’s actions, including aiming the rifle at them as they were attempting to leave, led him to believe Reeser was prepared to fire.
Reeser then entered an apartment with the rifle. A short time later, he came outside without the firearm and was taken into custody without incident. Agents recovered the rifle inside the apartment and found it fully loaded with a round in the chamber.
During an interview with the FBI, Reeser allegedly said he believed the two agents had been following him and that he pointed the rifle at them because he could not allow someone to “mess with him.” Before being transported to the Doña Ana County Detention Center, Reeser was allowed to use his cellphone to provide his father with contact information. However, instead of getting the information for his father, Reeser sent a message stating that it had been “homeland.” According to the complaint, Reeser had not yet been told that the two men were HSI agents when he sent the message.
Reeser is charged with assaulting a federal officer and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Reeser faces up to 20 years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Y. Armijo and Benajamin Suslavich are prosecuting the case.
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