Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
A Honduran national, Rigoberto Osorio-Merlo, appeared in court in Las Vegas to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after being previously deported. Osorio-Merlo, 49, is charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. His preliminary hearing is set for December 4, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah.
Court documents and statements indicate that Osorio-Merlo was removed from the United States on two prior occasions: January 15, 2009, and November 14, 2018. He is alleged to have reentered the country without authorization.
On July 22, 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) learned of Osorio-Merlo’s arrest by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers on charges including Duty to Stop at Scene of Accident, Destroy/Conceal Evidence, and Reckless Driving Resulting in Death or Substantial Bodily Harm. After serving time in state custody following his conviction for Reckless Driving Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm or Death stemming from this incident, he was transferred to ICE custody on July 30, 2025. Records show he has two previous DUI convictions from 2011 and 2016.
If convicted on the current federal charge, Osorio-Merlo could face up to two years in prison, a year 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 announced the charges. The case was investigated by ICE’s Salt Lake City office in Las Vegas and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
The public can report crimes or suspicious activity related to immigration enforcement by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting information through an online tip form.
“A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
