LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Two men living in Las Vegas appeared in court Thursday to face charges for illegally re-entering the country.
According to officials, the men were identified as David Cristales-Machado, 35, and Juan Manuel Lopez-Mendez, 35. Both men were charged with one count of being a deported alien found in the United States.
Cristales-Machado, an El Salvador national was taken into custody on March 22 by ICE authorities from the Clark County Detention Center after he was found with a concealed weapon without a permit.
He was previously convicted of three felony crimes, including two attempts to obtain a stolen vehicle and attempted burglary.
The Department of Justice reports that Cristales-Machado was previously deported around October 8, 2014.
Lopez-Mendez was arrested by Las Vegas Metro Police for possession of a controlled substance before being taken in by ICE. The Mexican native was previously convicted of transporting drugs and attempted possession of a stolen vehicle.
Lopez-Mendez was reportedly previously deported on July 12, 2018.
Cristales-Machado could face up to 10 years in prison, would pay a fine of $250,000, and a $100 special assessment if found guilty.
If convicted, Lopez-Mendez could face a maximum of 2 years in prison, pay a fine of $250,000, and a $100 special assessment.
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