Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
A Mexican national residing unlawfully in Las Vegas has appeared in court to face charges related to illegal reentry into the United States after previous deportations. Hilario Villegas-Espinoza, 52, is charged with one count of being a deported alien found in the U.S. A preliminary hearing is set for May 21, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier III.
The criminal complaint and court statements allege 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 his arrest by North Las Vegas Police on charges including three counts of sexual assault against a child under 14 and four counts of lewdness with a child under 14 in North Las Vegas. On April 22, 2025, he was transferred to ICE custody from the Nevada Department of Corrections based on an immigration detainer. Villegas-Espinoza has a prior felony conviction from the Western District of Texas for illegal reentry after deportation in 2010.
If convicted on the current charge, he faces up to ten years in prison, a three-year supervised release term, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke announced these proceedings.
The investigation was conducted by ICE's Salt Lake City office with its Las Vegas sub-office assisting; prosecution is handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Nevada.
Public members can report crimes or suspicious activities by calling ICE at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or through their online tip form.
It should be noted that "a complaint is merely an accusation," and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
