A Mexican national, Hilario Villegas-Espinoza, aged 52, appeared in court in Las Vegas to face charges related to his illegal reentry into the United States after two prior deportations. He is charged with one count of being a deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is set for May 21, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier III.
The criminal complaint and court statements reveal that Villegas-Espinoza, a citizen of Mexico, was previously deported from the U.S. on November 4, 2009, and February 11, 2011. He allegedly reentered the country illegally by September 3, 2020.
On that date, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) discovered that Villegas-Espinoza had been arrested by North Las Vegas Police on multiple charges including three counts of sexual assault against a child under 14 and four counts of lewdness by an adult with a child under 14 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. On April 22, 2025, he was transferred to ICE custody from the Nevada Department of Corrections due to an immigration detainer. Villegas-Espinoza also has a previous felony conviction from the Western District of Texas in 2010 for illegal reentry after deportation.
If convicted on these current charges, Villegas-Espinoza could face up to ten years in prison along with a three-year term of supervised release. He may also incur a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke.
The case is being investigated by ICE's Salt Lake City office based in Las Vegas and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
The public can report crimes or suspicious activities by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or using the online tip form provided by authorities.
It should be noted that a complaint is merely an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.