A Dominican national residing in Lawrence has pleaded guilty to charges of illegal reentry into the United States. Melvin Villar, aged 60, admitted guilt to one count of unlawful reentry after deportation during a session in federal court in Boston. The presiding judge, U.S. District Court Denise J. Casper, has scheduled Villar’s sentencing for September 16, 2025. The indictment against Villar was issued by a federal grand jury in March 2025.
Villar’s arrest occurred on February 2, 2025, when immigration authorities detained him at the Essex County House of Correction in Middleton. This followed his release from state custody on narcotics trafficking charges. His history includes multiple removals from the U.S., specifically in 2004, 2009, 2019, and 2021 due to various criminal convictions involving immigration violations as well as drug and firearm offenses. Notably, he had two prior convictions for unlawful reentry.
The offense of unlawful reentry carries potential penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment, three years supervised release, and fines reaching $250,000. Following any sentence served, Villar faces deportation proceedings. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes governing criminal cases.
The announcement regarding this case was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley alongside Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations based in Boston. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady from the Major Crimes Unit is leading the prosecution.
