Federal law enforcement successfully captured a leading figure of the MS-13 gang in Woodbridge, Virginia, marking a significant victory in the Trump administration’s crackdown on gang-related crime.
The 24-year-old suspect, believed to be one of the top three MS-13 leaders in the US, was apprehended without incident by a multi-agency task force including the FBI, ICE, and Virginia State Police.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel both praised the operation’s success in a press conference alongside Governor Glenn Youngkin.
“Early this morning, one of the top leaders of MS-13 was apprehended,” Bondi announced. “He was the leader for the East Coast, one of the top three in the entire country. Right here in Virginia, living half an hour outside of Washington, D.C. He is an illegal alien from El Salvador and he will not be living in our country much longer. He’s in custody this morning.”
BREAKING: I’m proud to announce that early this morning our brave law enforcement officers conducted a successful operation that captured a top MS-13 national leader
DOJ will not rest until we make America safe again. pic.twitter.com/yKmhas068b
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) March 27, 2025
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“They executed a clean, safe operation and the bad guys in custody. And thanks to the FBI, we got one of the worst of the worst of the MS-13 off the streets this morning,” Bondi told Fox News. “Virginia and the country is a lot safer today.”
“This is what can happen when you put good cops in good places to take on bad guys,” Patel continued. “America should be watching this. And we are proud to be here standing with these brave warriors.”
Youngkin took the opportunity to reiterate that Virginia is not a sanctuary state, emphasizing that his administration will support the federal crackdown on illegal immigration and warning would-be sanctuary cities against interfering.
“Look who’s in your community. Look who’s living around the corner from citizens that are going to work, trying to build their lives in a place that’s the best place in America to live and work and raise a family,” the governor said.“And yet, we have one of the top three operatives from the most dangerous gang in America, in the world, living around the corner — and you sanctuary cities want to give refuge to them.
“Listen, it’s time for us to recognize that Virginia is not a sanctuary state. We are working to get the bad guys out of here, and if you are a local jurisdiction and not helping us and not cooperating with us, you are working against the safety of all of those men and women that call your jurisdiction home.”
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to celebrate the arrest and praise the administration officials responsible for the operation.
“Great job by Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Tom HOMAN, and Kristi N, on the capture of MS13 leader – A big deal!” the president wrote.
The suspect, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, is expected to be deported as part of the administration’s broader efforts to remove criminal immigrants.
At the time, the suspect’s name and specific charges were not disclosed, but the FBI released a statement on Thursday identifying him as Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos.
This arrest follows other efforts to deport MS-13 leaders, including the recent deportation of César Humberto López-Larios to El Salvador.
Connor Walcott is the lead writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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