Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
A Honduran national residing in Las Vegas appeared in court to face charges of illegal reentry into the United States after a previous removal. Joel Pacheco-Hernandez, 46, is charged with one count of being a deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is set for March 14, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier III.
According to the criminal complaint and court statements, Pacheco-Hernandez was deported from the U.S. on September 11, 2015, and illegally re-entered by May 5, 2022. In May 2022, he was convicted of battery by the North Las Vegas Municipal Court. Later that year, charges of insurance fraud and forgery were filed against him by the Clark County District Attorney.
On January 22, 2025, Pacheco-Hernandez was arrested for using another person's ID to avoid prosecution and had an active bench warrant. On February 13, he was convicted in Clark County of conspiracy to commit a crime and sentenced to imprisonment. Before his first removal in 2015, he had prior convictions for conspiracy to commit larceny and aggravated felony robbery.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) became aware of Pacheco-Hernandez's presence on January 23 after his arrest by state law enforcement in Clark County. ICE arrested him on February 21 at the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center.
If convicted, Pacheco-Hernandez could face up to 20 years in prison, a three-year supervised release term, 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 announced these developments. The ICE Salt Lake City Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case while the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting it.
The public can report crimes or suspicious activities by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing an online tip form.
"A complaint is merely an accusation," officials remind us; "a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."
