Foreign Nationals With Prior Convictions Charged For Illegally Reentering The United States

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

Wilmer Alexander Cortez-Cruz, 56, and Sergio Ivan Morelos-Torres, 52, are both charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for April 14, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Cortez-Cruz, a citizen and national of El Salvador, and Morelos-Torres, a citizen and national of Mexico, were both previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally.

On March 19, 2025, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Cortez-Cruz to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), based on an ICE detainer. Cortez-Cruz had previously been deported on or about October 16, 2019. Cortez-Cruz has multiple DUI convictions, to include one felony DUI conviction.

On March 18, 2025, ICE arrested Morelos-Torres who had previously been deported to Mexico on eight prior occasions. Prior to his first removal from the United States, Morelos-Torres was convicted of felony Burglary, 2nd degree, in violation of California Penal Code 459. Morelos-Torres also has two prior felony convictions for illegally reentering the United States, one in federal court in the District of Colorado, and another in the Central District of California.

If convicted, Morelos-Torres 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.

If convicted, Cortez-Cruz 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.

United States Attorney Sigal Chattah 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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