Source: Office of United States Attorneys
LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national unlawfully residing in Las Vegas made his initial court appearance Wednesday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after being removed from the country on two prior occasions.
Hilario Villegas-Espinoza, 52, is charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier, III.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Villegas-Espinoza is a citizen and national of Mexico who was previously deported and removed from the United States on November 4, 2009, and February 11, 2011, and reentered the United States illegally on or before September 3, 2020.
On September 3, 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) learned that Villegas-Espinoza had been arrested by North Las Vegas Police for three counts Sexual Assault Against Child Less Than 14 and four counts Lewdness by Person Over 18 with Child Less Than 14, in North Las Vegas, Nevada. On April 22, 2025, Villegas-Espinoza was remanded to ICE custody from the Nevada Department of Corrections, based on an immigration detainer. Villegas-Espinoza has a 2010 felony conviction in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, of Illegal Reentry After Deportation.
If convicted, Villegas-Espinoza faces the maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a three-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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