Joel Pacheco-Hernandez, the 46-year-old Honduran national who found himself before a Las Vegas court on charges of illegal reentry into the United States. Pacheco-Hernandez, who had been previously deported in 2015, made his initial appearance to face the recent allegations, with a preliminary hearing set for March 14th, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
Compounding this scenario, Pacheco-Hernandez carries prior convictions across a spectrum of charges, including battery, insurance fraud, and an aggregated felony robbery before his initial removal. His most recent infraction, a state conviction for conspiracy to commit a crime, came on February 13, netting him a sentence of imprisonment. After his January 2025 arrest, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stepped in on February 21 to assert federal jurisdiction.
Authorities are taking the case against Pacheco-Hernandez seriously, reflecting the nation's ongoing struggle with illegal immigration enforcement. If convicted, the Honduran national could face up to two decades behind bars, substantiated by a potential $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment, as the allegations in the criminal complaint posed by Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami and Michael Bernacke, field office director for ICE Salt Lake City, outline.
The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. They can do so by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE or submitting tips online.
