Ray Villanueva serves as the Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. In this position, he oversees HSI’s field operations and investigative efforts in the District of Columbia and the states of Virginia and West Virginia. His office includes a broad cadre of special agents, intelligence analysts, and professional administrative personnel further assigned to several sub-offices, operational groups and task forces to include two HSI led Border Enforcement Security Task Forces. Mr. Villanueva is responsible for leading investigations into transnational crimes and threats, specifically disrupting and dismantling terrorist, transnational and other criminal organizations that threaten or seek to exploit the customs and immigration laws of the United States.

Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Villanueva served an Assistant Director for HSI. In his role he oversaw the Office of International Operations where he was responsible for a budget of more than $180 million and the operational oversight of 68 offices in 51 countries and 8 Department of Defense liaison offices with over 400 personnel. Mr. Villanueva has more than 26 years of law enforcement experience.
Mr. Villanueva began his law enforcement career in 1994 as a Police Officer with the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) where he was subsequently promoted to a criminal investigator position assigned to the U.S. Customs Service Task Force, Office of the Special Agent in Charge San Juan. In 2015, due to his constant engagement and support to the mission of the PRPD, Mr. Villanueva was promoted to the rank of Honorific Lieutenant Colonel, the second highest rank within the police department.

Since joining HSI, Mr. Villanueva has served in numerous key positions ranging from group supervisor for the Financial Crimes Group at HSI Buffalo, NY, section chief for the Illicit Finance and Proceeds of Crime Unit in Washington, DC, unit chief for the Trade Transparency Unit in Washington, DC, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for HSI San Juan, Deputy Assistant Director for HSI International Operations and as an Assistant Director for HSI. Mr. Villanueva has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2015.
Mr. Villanueva is a member of the International Association of Chief of Police (IACP) where he currently serves as the International Vice President and Chair of the Global Policing Division.