LAS VEGAS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Nevada), published as received.

LAS VEGAS – A Honduran national who has a drug-related felony conviction and was previously convicted for illegal reentry made his initial court appearance today to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Darwin Gilberto Rodriguez-Betanco is charged with one-count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 25, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Rodriguez-Betanco is a citizen and national of Honduras who was previously deported on September 16, 2014, November 18, 2016, and March 18, 2022, and reentered the United States illegally. 

On July 23, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) took Rodriguez-Betanco into custody after he was encountered in Palm Gardens, Nevada. Rodriguez-Betanco has a prior conviction for felony possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in the Third District Court, Salt Lake City, Utah. Rodriguez-Betanco was sentenced to a term of one to fifteen years. Rodriguez-Betanco was also previously convicted for illegal reentry in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas - the same offense with which he is now charged.

If convicted, Rodriguez-Betanco faces 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.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

The CBP Yuma, Arizona 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.

This case is 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.

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