Source: Office of United States Attorneys
LAS VEGAS – A Honduran National residing in Las Vegas made his initial court appearance Friday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.
Joel Pacheco-Hernandez, 46, is charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 14, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier, III.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Pacheco-Hernandez is a citizen and national of Honduras who was previously deported and removed from the United States on September 11, 2015, and re-entered the United States illegally on or before May 5, 2022.
In May 2022, the North Las Vegas, Nevada, Municipal Court convicted Pacheco-Hernandez of battery. In November 2022, the Clark County District Attorney filed a Criminal Complaint with the Justice Court, Las Vegas, Nevada, for the charges of Insurance Fraud and Forgery. On January 22, 2025, Pacheco-Hernandez was arrested for Use/Possess Person ID of Another to Avoid/Delay Prosecution, and on an active bench warrant. On February 13, 2025, Pacheco-Hernandez was convicted in Clark County of conspiracy to commit a crime, and he was sentenced to imprisonment. Pacheco-Hernandez has prior convictions for Conspiracy to Commit Larceny, and an Aggravated Felony Robbery, prior to his first removal in 2015.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) learned of Pacheco-Hernandez’s presence in the United States on January 23, 2025, after he was arrested by state law enforcement, in Clark County, Nevada. On February 21, 2025, ICE arrested Pacheco-Hernandez at the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center.
If convicted, Pacheco-Hernandez faces the maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke made the announcement.
The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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