SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – A man who illegally re-entered the United States after having been convicted of a felony pleaded guilty in federal court.
Forty-nine-year-old Jesus Banuelos-Lepe, who is a citizen of Mexico but had been living in Maurice, Iowa, was convicted of one count of illegal re-entry as a felon.
At his plea hearing, Banuelos-Lepe admitted that on July 20, 2025, he was arrested in Sioux County, Iowa for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was booked into the Sioux County Jail but provided an alias to law enforcement.
Further investigation found his true identity as Banuelos-Lepe, a citizen of Mexico who had been removed from the United States on five occasions. Banuelos-Lepe did not have permission to legally be in the United States.
Additionally, Banuelos-Lepe had previously been convicted of felony transportation of an illegal alien in April 2007 in the United States District Court of the District of Oregon.
A date for sentencing will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Banuelos-Lepe faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
Banuelos-Lepe remains in custody of the United States Marshal Services and will be in custody pending sentencing.
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