Villanueva has attained the highest level of certification with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and holds a Master level certification as a Peace Officer and a Jailer license.

Villanueva was born and raised in Sweetwater, Texas and is a 1988 graduate of Sweetwater High School. He has been a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church since childhood and he and his wife, Stacy, have four wonderful children.

Villanueva is a member of the Sweetwater Lions Club, Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club and serves on the board of directors with Tri-County Helping Hands also known as Operation Brown Bag. At the state and regional level, Villanueva is a member of the Sheriff's Association of Texas. In 2022, he received the Reader’s Choice Police Officer of The Year award and is a 2021 graduate of Leadership Sweetwater.

Sheriff James E. Villanueva was elected in 2024 and took office on January 1, 2025. As Sheriff, he oversees the largest office in the Nolan County government with 44 employees and an annual budget of over 4 million dollars.

“I have had the honor of serving with the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office and I understand the importance of creating a safe and secure environment for us to live, work, and raise our families. Serving in a leadership role in my hometown is both an absolute honor and privilege and provides me with the opportunity to give back to the community that raised me. I have a deep personal interest in Nolan County and the safety and security of its citizens, and I look forward to making a positive impact on the place that shaped me into the person I am today.”