Two Mexican Nationals With Prior Convictions Charged For Illegally Reentering The United States

LAS VEGAS – Two Mexican nationals residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances Thursday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Juan Carlos Verdin-Covarrubias, 41, and Uriel Lira-Cabrera, 44, are both charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for April 3, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Verdin-Covarrubias and Lira-Cabrera are both citizens and nationals of Mexico. They were previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally.

On March 12, 2025, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Verdin-Covarrubias to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) based on an ICE detainer. Verdin-Covarrubias was previously deported on or about April 21, 2006, after he was convicted for Unlawful Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Judicial District Court, Washoe County, Nevada. After illegally returning to the country, he was again convicted of drug-related offenses, Sale of a Controlled Substance and High-level Possession of a Controlled Substance, this time in the Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada, and on February 16, 2022, Verdin-Covarrubias was sentenced to 36 to 96 months of imprisonment.

On March 5, 2025, ICE in Las Vegas, Nevada, arrested Lira-Cabrera who had previously been deported on six occasions between February 5, 2007, and November 27, 2021. Prior to his first deportation Lira-Cabrera was convicted of Assault with Deadly Weapon by Means Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury in the Superior Court, Los Angeles County, California. Lira-Cabrera also has two prior felony convictions for illegally reentering the United States, one in federal court in the District of Arizona, and another in the District of Nevada.

Both face the maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

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.

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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