A Honduran national residing in Las Vegas appeared in court last Friday on charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported. Joel Pacheco-Hernandez, 46, faces one count of being a deported alien found in the U.S. His preliminary hearing is set for March 14, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier III.
Court documents allege that Pacheco-Hernandez, who is from Honduras, was removed from the U.S. on September 11, 2015, but reentered the country illegally by May 5, 2022. In May 2022, he was convicted of battery by the North Las Vegas Municipal Court. Later that year in November, he faced charges of insurance fraud and forgery filed by the Clark County District Attorney.
In January 2025, Pacheco-Hernandez was arrested for using another person's ID to avoid or delay prosecution and due to an active bench warrant. On February 13, 2025, he was convicted of conspiracy to commit a crime and sentenced to imprisonment. His criminal history includes prior convictions for conspiracy to commit larceny and aggravated felony robbery before his initial removal in 2015.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) became aware of Pacheco-Hernandez's presence in the country on January 23, 2025, following his arrest by state law enforcement in Clark County, Nevada. ICE detained him at the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center on February 21.
If found guilty of the current charge, Pacheco-Hernandez could face up to 20 years in prison along with a three-year supervised release term, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke. The case investigation is handled by ICE's Salt Lake City Las Vegas Sub-Office while prosecution is undertaken by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
Public reports about crimes or suspicious activities can be made through calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or via an online tip form.
"A complaint is merely an accusation," authorities remind; "a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."