MANASSAS, Va. — A key figure believed to be among the top leaders of the notorious MS-13 gang on the East Coast has been apprehended in Virginia, as announced by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday. Described as a significant victory in ongoing efforts to curtail the gang’s escalating activities, the arrest highlights the administration’s focus on combating organized crime.
Authorities arrested 24-year-old Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos from El Salvador during a pre-dawn operation. Santos faces charges of illegal firearm possession after a search of his residence uncovered multiple weapons, and court documents indicate his illegal presence in the United States. His alleged role as one of the top three U.S. leaders of MS-13 emphasizes the seriousness of the crackdown on the gang’s operations, known for their violent and extortionate practices.
The arrest aligns with the administration’s strategy to suppress illegal immigration and dismantle gangs. MS-13, officially named Mara Salvatrucha, was recently identified as a foreign terrorist organization among eight others from Latin America by the current administration. “We want to ensure the safety of our streets, schools, and neighborhoods,” Bondi stated confidently to reporters, emphasizing the impact of incarcerating such a prominent figure in local communities.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt hailed the arrest as a positive development for national security and safety. The U.S. Justice Department significantly ramped up measures against MS-13, which initially emerged from a street gang in Los Angeles to a transnational network with roots in El Salvador and extensive reach in Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, and various U.S. locations.
The brutal murders of two teenage girls on Long Island in 2016 cast a spotlight on MS-13’s lethal activities. Nisa Mickens and Kayla Cuevas, victims of a horrendous attack with a machete and baseball bat, were walking in their neighborhood when targeted by the gang. Their tragic deaths, among others, spurred national outrage and discussions on the need for stringent immigration laws.
President Donald Trump has attributed the proliferation of gang violence to lenient immigration policies, pledging an aggressive stance against MS-13, including efforts to “dismantle, decimate, and eradicate” the gang during his presidency.
In a related administrative note, Leavitt, alongside two other officials, is part of an ongoing legal case brought by a prominent news agency over editorial protocols and free speech rights. The government, however, maintains its position regarding adherence to specific terminologies as mandated by an executive order.