David Cristales-Machado, Deported Alien Found in the United States, Nevada 2025

Two foreign nationals with prior convictions made their initial court appearances in Las Vegas to face charges of illegally reentering the United States.

According to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, David Cristales-Machado, 35, a citizen and national of El Salvador, and Juan Manuel Lopez-Mendez, 35, a citizen and national of Mexico, were both previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the country illegally.

Cristales-Machado, who had been arrested and convicted of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, was remanded to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 22, 2025, from the Clark County Detention Center, based on an ICE detainer. He had previously been deported on or about October 8, 2014, and has three prior felony convictions: two for attempt possession of a stolen vehicle, and one attempt burglary.

Lopez-Mendez was remanded to the custody of ICE on March 28, 2025, from the Clark County Detention Center, based on an ICE detainer after he had been arrested for possession of a controlled substance by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police. He had previously been deported to Mexico on July 12, 2018, and has two prior felony convictions: one for transport of a controlled substance, and another for attempt possession of a stolen vehicle.

Both Cristales-Machado and Lopez-Mendez are charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for April 24, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts.

If convicted, Cristales-Machado faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. Lopez-Mendez faces 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.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nv/pr/two-foreign-nationals-prior-convictions-illegally-reentering-united-states