HCSO NEWS RELEASE:
“An ongoing Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) investigation recently resulted in an additional 13
charges against a Gainesville woman for extorting money from victims by claiming to be an
immigration agent.
HCSO Warrant Service Unit deputies took Olga Beatrice Villarreal, 51, into custody on the most
recent arrest warrants Friday afternoon, July 28. The latest round of charges, all felonies, are for
offenses that occurred between Jan. 1, 2019 and June 29, 2023.
Theft by extortion – 5 times
Criminal conspiracy to commit a crime (theft by extortion) – 3 times
Impersonating a public officer or employee -5 times
According to the preliminary investigation, Villarreal posed as an immigration agent, taking
payments from victims by claiming she could provide assistance with immigration paperwork. She
also took money from some victims by threatening them with deportation. Most of the payments
were made in cash, according to investigators.
Following Villarreal’s June 29 HCSO arrest for one count each of theft by extortion and conspiracy to
commit a crime, more victims came forward, leading to the latest charges. At present in the HCSO
investigation, there are a total of seven victims who lost close to a combined $200,000 to Villarreal.
Following her Friday arrest, Villarreal was booked into the Hall County Jail. She was released on
$26,000 bond Monday evening, Aug. 1.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Gainesville Police has also previously filed similar charges against Villarreal.)