56-year-old Albanian arrested in the U.S., accused of sexual abuse of a minor

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Boston announced the arrest of a 56-year-old Albanian national, Hasan Billa, a resident of Wolcott, on September 3, during a targeted law-enforcement operation.

According to ICE, Billa was in the United States illegally and faces pending state charges stemming from an undercover operation carried out on May 28 as part of investigations into child exploitation in Hartford.

The charges, according to ICE and earlier Hartford Police reports, include criminal attempt to commit second-degree sexual assault, criminal attempt at sexual abuse of a minor, and criminal attempt involving risk of injury through sexual contact with a victim under the age of 16.

The May operation was carried out by the Hartford Police and the FBI’s Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force. An undercover detective posed online as a 15-year-old girl.

According to police, three men, including Billa Hasan of Wolcott, traveled to a predetermined location in Hartford believing they would meet a minor for sexual relations. In one report, the location is identified as a Best Western hotel on Brainard Road.

The three suspects were arrested without incident and initially held on $500,000 bond.

Local media at the time identified the Wolcott resident as Billa Hasan, 56, while ICE later referred to him as Hasan Billa.

At the time of the first reports in June, Hasan had not been charged. The charges remain pending and he has not been convicted.

ICE Boston announced the September 3 arrest on social media on September 25, describing it as part of targeted operations in Wolcott. The agency did not immediately release further details about his immigration history, whether he is in ICE detention, or what the next steps in removal proceedings would be.

U.S. authorities have said anyone with information about crimes against children can contact the Hartford Police or submit a tip anonymously.