Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
A Mexican national, Jose Ricardo Lopez Munoz, aged 49, made his first court appearance in Las Vegas to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after being deported three previous times. Lopez Munoz is charged with a single count of being a deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is set for April 28, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe.
The criminal complaint and court records indicate Lopez Munoz, a Mexican citizen, was deported and removed from the U.S. on November 13, 1995, February 26, 1997, and August 1, 2013. He is alleged to have illegally reentered the country by November 28, 2023. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended him in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 13, 2025. He has 18 aliases and previous felony convictions, including illegal reentry, menacing, and a challenge to fight with a deadly weapon with gang-related intentions.
ICE discovered Lopez Munoz's presence in the United States after being arrested by local authorities in Clark County, Nevada, on November 28, 2023.
Lopez Munoz faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison upon conviction, alongside a three-year supervised release term, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke. The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the incident, with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada leading the prosecution.
Public members are encouraged to report crimes and suspicious activities by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or using the online tip form. It is important to remember that a complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
