U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has apprehended a 24-year-old Salvadoran national, identified as William Alberto Villalobos-Melendez, in Brockton, Massachusetts. Villalobos-Melendez is reported to be illegally residing in the United States and is a documented member of the MS-13 gang.
According to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde, "William Alberto Villalobos-Melendez has been illegally residing in the United States for almost nine years. He is a validated member of a violent transnational street gang and poses a threat to our Massachusetts residents." Hyde further emphasized that "ICE Boston will not tolerate any threat that a member of a nefarious gang poses to our neighbors."
Villalobos was initially arrested by U.S. Border Patrol on October 11, 2016, after entering the country near Hidalgo, Texas without proper admission or inspection by an immigration official. Following this arrest, he was issued a notice to appear before an immigration judge from the Department of Justice.
On June 12, 2019, an immigration judge ordered Villalobos' removal from the United States back to El Salvador. Despite this order, Villalobos remained in Massachusetts where he faced charges from Middleboro State Police for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and using an electronic device while driving on March 13, 2025.
The recent arrest on May 14 was carried out by officers with ICE ERO Boston alongside agents from ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England and FBI Boston. Villalobos is currently in ICE custody pending his removal from the United States.
The public is encouraged to report crimes or suspicious activities by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or through an online tip form. Additional information about ICE's mission can be found on their social media platform X at @EROBoston.
