Latest news with #HenrryJosueVillatoroSantos
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Accused MS-13 gang leader set for deportation after judges drop charges
Alexandria Sheriff's Office photograph of Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos. A US federal judge on Wednesday dismissed all criminal charges against Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos , a 24-year-old Salvadoran national accused of being an MS-13 leader on the East Coast, clearing the way for his deportation , according to his attorney. The Justice Department's request to withdraw charges earlier this month signalled their intention to deport Villatoro Santos. The presence of a US marshal from the Fugitive Task Force at the hearing suggested imminent transfer to immigration custody. "They're likely to take him very quickly," stated defence attorney Muhammad Elsayed following the hearing, according to CBS news. Henrry Villatoro Santos was arrested on March 27 during a raid at his home in Woodbridge, Virginia, and charged with being an undocumented immigrant in possession of a firearm. Authorities identified him as one of the top three MS-13 gang leaders in the US and found gang-related items in his bedroom and garage. Earlier on April 9, Attorney General Pam Bondi requested the charges be dropped to allow for his immediate deportation to El Salvador instead of a lengthy prison sentence in the US. A federal judge briefly delayed the motion on April 18, but it was approved on Wednesday by US District Court Judge Claude Hilton. Despite allegations of unspecified violent crimes and leadership in criminal activities nationwide, the Justice Department's pursuit of charge dismissal has not publicly connected him to any violent acts. "This is an unusual case," Elsayed stated in court, noting the court's responsibility "to determine whether the motion was made in good faith." He highlighted the Justice Department's lack of explanation for withdrawing charges and questioned the uncertainty of subsequent legal procedures. "There will likely be additional proceedings," Elsayed noted post-hearing, CBS reported. The defence counsel criticised the Justice Department's use of Rule 48(a) for dismissing the indictment, suggesting it circumvented due-process protections. "They want to deport him without due process," Elsayed stated, referencing Bondi's statements and noting the department of homeland security's limited involvement. Government lawyers responded that the defence had already extended the case beyond its initial request. The department of homeland security's Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital about the increasing desperation amongst gangs, noting that authorities apprehended 2,394 undocumented gang members during Trump's initial 100-day period. "This is just the beginning," she said. "This is just 100 days. We want to get these arrest numbers up. We want to get MS-13, Tren de Aragua these really bad actors — out of our country. And that's what we're going to deliver on," she added.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Charges dropped for man arrested in Virginia, accused of being top MS-13 gang leader
The Brief The charges against a man accused of being a top MS-13 gang leader have been dropped. Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, 24, was arrested in northern Virginia on Thursday, March 27. He was taken into custody on an outstanding administrative immigration warrant and was later charged with illegal gun possession. The DOJ filed a motion to dismiss without prejudice on Wednesday. ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Department of Justice on Wednesday moved to drop the charges against a man arrested in Virginia who they alleged was a top MS-13 gang leader. The backstory Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, 24, was arrested in northern Virginia on Thursday, March 27. A joint task force made up of FBI agents, Prince William County Police, ATF, ICE, and the Virginia State Police made the arrest. They said Santos was 'hiding' in the garage bedroom of his mother's Dale City home and that agents deployed a stun grenade to force him out. Santos was taken into custody on an outstanding administrative immigration warrant and was later charged with illegal gun possession after several firearms were discovered during a search of the premises. Information released by federal authorities stated that Santos had been in the United States for more than a decade, crossing the border illegally at age 14 to go live with his mom in Manassas. Court records said he had been under surveillance for allegedly directing gang activity. Motion to dismiss Santos was granted a dismissal without prejudice. That means the prosecution could potentially refile the same charges later — essentially suspending the case but not closing it. Click to open this PDF in a new window. What they're saying At the time of the arrest, the Trump administration touted the operation as a significant step toward fulfilling its campaign promises to curb illegal immigration and dismantle gangs. "Despite the tremendous success of this task force, I want the public to know that this is just the beginning of our efforts. We have a sense of urgency about this, and we do not plan on stopping until everyone of these violent gang members is off the streets," Erik Siebert, interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia said at the time. "To the criminals I just have to say, we're coming." FOX 5 asked his office for comment on Wednesday but they "respectfully" declined. Dig deeper Earlier this year, the Trump administration designated MS-13 — also known as Mara Salvatrucha — as a foreign terrorist organization, joining seven other Latin American criminal groups in that classification. Mara Salvatrucha 13, or MS-13, is a transnational gang that originated in Los Angeles, and has since gained a grip on much of Central America. The American government blames violence generated by the group as a driver of migration to the U.S. MS-13 was formed by Salvadoran immigrants that came to the United States in order to escape the civil war in their home country, according to the Justice Department. Some of its members were trained in guerilla warfare and the use of military weapons. The gang is "well-organized and is heavily involved in lucrative illegal enterprises, being notorious for its use of violence to achieve its objectives," the Justice Department says. Investigators say MS-13 is involved in trafficking stolen vehicles from the U.S. to Central America, and they're also known for human smuggling, weapons smuggling and illegal gun sales. The Source This report includes information from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, FOX 5 DC, Fox News, the Department of Justice and The Associated Press.
Washington Post
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Justice Dept. withdraws case against alleged MS-13 leader two weeks after his arrest
The Justice Department has moved to drop its case against a Salvadoran man Attorney General Pam Bondi described as one of the top three MS-13 gang leaders in the United States — less than two weeks after his arrest in Northern Virginia. In court papers Wednesday, prosecutors asked a federal court to dismiss the gun charges filed in late March against Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, a 24-year-old whose arrest Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel had touted at a high-profile news conference and which President Donald Trump celebrated on social media.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Alleged MS-13 street gang leader arrested in Virginia will face judge Tuesday
The Brief Alleged MS-13 leader Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, 24, was arrested in Dale City, Va. He was forced from hiding with a stun grenade and now faces gun and immigration charges. The arrest is part of a crackdown targeting nearly 600 suspects; MS-13 is designated as a foreign terrorist organization. DALE CITY, Va. - Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, 24, an alleged high-ranking MS-13 gang leader from El Salvador, that was arrested last week at a townhouse in Dale City, Virginia is scheduled to appear before a judge on Tuesday. Authorities describe Santos as one of MS-13's top three leaders in the United States. He was living in a garage bedroom and had been under surveillance for allegedly directing gang activity. During the operation, agents deployed a stun grenade to force him from hiding. Santos was taken into custody on an outstanding administrative immigration warrant and faces charges of illegal gun possession after several firearms were discovered during a search of the premises. READ MORE: WATCH: New video shows arrest of alleged MS-13 gang leader in Virginia What we know The Trump administration touted the arrest as a significant step toward fulfilling its campaign promises to curb illegal immigration and dismantle gangs. "Despite the tremendous success of this task force, I want the public to know that this is just the beginning of our efforts. We have a sense of urgency about this, and we do not plan on stopping until everyone of these violent gang members is off the streets," said Erik Siebert, interim U.S. Attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. "To the criminals I just have to say, we're coming." READ MORE: Top MS-13 gang leader arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia Siebert noted that the task force has identified nearly 600 targets, although officials would not disclose the specifics of their intelligence technology. Earlier this year, the Trump administration designated MS-13—also known as Mara Salvatrucha—as a foreign terrorist organization, joining seven other Latin American criminal groups in that classification. The Source FOX 5 DC & The Associated Press
Washington Post
30-03-2025
- Washington Post
Justice Dept. describes man arrested on gun charges as top MS-13 leader
Federal authorities on Thursday announced the arrest of a Salvadoran man they described as one of the top three MS-13 gang leaders in the United States. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the suspect oversaw the gang's East Coast operations. But court records unsealed later that day — which identified the man as Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, 24 — made only scant reference to his alleged gang ties and did not accuse him of any specific gang-related activity. Instead, Villatoro Santos was charged with being in the country illegally while possessing a gun.
