Source: Office of United States Attorneys
LAS VEGAS – A Honduran national made his initial court appearance today to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.
Rigoberto Osorio-Merlo, 49, is charged with one-count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 4, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Osorio-Merlo is a citizen and national of Honduras who was previously deported and removed from the United States on January 15, 2009, and November 14, 2018, and reentered the United States illegally.
On July 22, 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) learned that Osorio-Merlo had been arrested by officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for Duty to Stop at Scene of Accident, Destroy/Conceal Evidence, and Reckless Driving Resulting in Death or Substantial Bodily Harm. A year later, on July 30, 2025, Osorio-Merlo was remanded to ICE custody from the Nevada Department of Corrections, based on an immigration detainer. Osorio-Merlo has two DUI convictions, one in 2011 and a second in 2016. Based on Osorio-Merlo’s July 22, 2024, arrest, he was convicted of Reckless Driving Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm or Death.
If convicted, Osorio-Merlo faces the maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Jason Knight 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.
###