SIOUX CITY – A Mexican alien who illegally re-entered the United States after having been convicted of a felony offense pled guilty in federal court in Iowa and could face a decade in prison.
Jesus Banuelos-Lepe, 49, 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 the plea hearing, Banuelos-Lepe admitted that on July 20, 2025, he was arrested in Sioux County, Iowa, for operating vehicle while intoxicated. Following his arrest, he was booked into the Sioux County Jail but provided an alias to law enforcement. Further investigation proved his true identity as Banuelos-Lepe, a citizen of Mexico who had been removed from the United States on five occasions, and did not have permission to legally be in the United States. Banuelos-Lepe had previously been convicted of felony transportation of an illegal alien, in April of 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Banuelos-Lepe remains in custody of the United States Marshal Service and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Banuelos-Lepe faces a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security.