A Honduran national with two prior deportations has been charged again for illegally reentering the United States. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, 49-year-old Rigoberto Osorio-Merlo appeared in court to face a one-count charge of deported alien found in the United States.
Osorio-Merlo, previously deported on January 15, 2009, and November 14, 2018, came to the attention of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following his arrest on multiple charges, including Reckless Driving Resulting in Death or Substantial Bodily Harm from an incident on July 22, 2024. He was transferred to ICE custody on July 30. Osorio-Merlo has two prior DUI convictions, one in 2011 and another in 2016. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on December 4.
The case, investigated by the ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office, highlights the complexities of immigration enforcement and the repeated interactions with law enforcement experienced by some unauthorized immigrants. If convicted, Osorio-Merlo could face up to two years in prison, supervised release, fines totaling $250,000, and a $100 special assessment.
Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Jason Knight stated that this case highlights issues related to immigration policy and public safety, as well as the complexities involved in law enforcement and legal proceedings. Authorities have urged the public to report crimes and suspicious activities through designated hotlines or online forms. It is also noted that a complaint is an accusation, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, in accordance with the principles of due process and the presumption of innocence.
