A Mexican national with a history of prior convictions has been charged with the federal offense of illegally reentering the United States after deportation. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, it was reported that Victor Jesus Apodaca-Gomez, also known as Carlos Alberto Cardenas, made his initial court appearance this past Monday.
Apodaca-Gomez, 31, is facing charges following his most recent arrest in October 2023 on drug-related offenses in Las Vegas. It was after this arrest that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) came to learn about Apodaca-Gomez’s presence in the U.S. According to allegations in the criminal complaint, the defendant had previously been deported from the United States on two separate occasions—once on April 9, 2020, and again on May 17, 2022, but seemingly managed to illegally re-enter the country before October 24, 2023. On March 25, 2024, Apodaca-Gomez was convicted for possession and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act, resulting in a sentence to imprisonment.
The Nevada Department of Corrections subsequently turned Apodaca-Gomez over to ICE custody on January 30, 2025. Facing a count of "deported alien found in the United States," he could potentially receive a maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment if convicted. A preliminary hearing for the case has been scheduled for June 2, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Brenda N. Weksler.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and ICE Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke publicly announced the charge. The ICE Salt Lake City, Las-Vegas Sub-Office was responsible to fully investigate the Apodaca-Gomez case, with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada taking the lead in prosecution efforts. While the court proceedings move forward, it is emphasized that the complaint against Apodaca-Gomez is merely an accusation, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in the eyes of the law.
Citizens are encouraged to report suspected crimes or unusual activity by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting the online tip form. Developments in this case or similar incidents highlight the complexities of immigration enforcement and the ongoing efforts of federal agencies in managing legal reentry into the United States.
