LAS VEGAS – A Nicaraguan national and a Mexican national unlawfully residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances yesterday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.Jose Leonel Gomez-Palma a citizen of Nicaragua and Isidrio Lopez-Ramirez a citizen of Mexico, are both charged with one-count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for May 26, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe.According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Gomez-Palma and Lopez-Ramirez were both previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally. On April 30, 2026, officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested Gomez-Palma for Driving Under the Influence and Possess Gun Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs.
On May 2, 2026, the Clark County Detention Center remanded Gomez-Palma to U.S. Immigration Custom Enforcement (ICE) custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gomez-Palma was previously deported to Nicaragua on or about September 8, 2012. Gomez-Palma has felony convictions for Possess Narcotic Controlled Substance (cocaine), Carjacking, Kidnapping, Attempted Robbery, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Since 1994, Gomez-Palma’s felony convictions have resulted in 24 years and four months in combined prison sentences.On September 19, 2025, ICE learned that Lopez-Ramirez was in custody at the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC). On August 25, 2025, the Las Vegas, Nevada, Eighth Judicial District Court, convicted Lopez-Ramirez of DUI 3rd, a felony. On April 27, 2026, after serving a 12-to-30-month sentence, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Lopez-Ramirez to ICE custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lopez-Ramirez was previously deported to Mexico on or about September 3, 2011, and again on or about November 10, 2020.
If convicted, Gomez-Palma faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.If convicted, Lopez-Ramirez 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.First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya 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.These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ###