Reentry Rapist: Melvin Villar, 60, Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry

BOSTON – In a disturbing case of repeated transgressions, Melvin Villar, 60, a Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lawrence, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Villar’s lengthy rap sheet includes prior convictions for immigration, drug, and firearm offenses, including two prior convictions for unlawful reentry. His latest arrest came on February 2, 2025, at the Essex County House of Correction in Middleton following his release from state custody on narcotics trafficking charges.

According to court records, Villar was previously removed from the United States in 2004, 2009, 2019, and 2021, following his convictions for various crimes. His latest attempt to reenter the country has left authorities scrambling to hold him accountable for his actions.

U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for September 16, 2025. Villar faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed.

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien carries significant consequences, and it is clear that authorities will not tolerate Villar’s repeated attempts to circumvent the law. As the case moves forward, it is likely that Villar will face the full weight of the law for his crimes.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.