- विज्ञापन -
Washington: US authorities arrested Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, a 24-year-old high-ranking leader of the MS-13 gang, during a raid in Prince William County, Virginia, approximately 23 miles from Washington, DC. His arrest, primarily on weapons charges, represents a significant success in a national effort to combat violent criminal networks.
Law enforcement officials have identified Villatoro as a key figure responsible for orchestrating violent crimes tied to MS-13 along the East Coast. This operation is part of a broader initiative led by a newly formed FBI task force, which has already apprehended 340 illegal migrant criminals this month. Launched on March 3, the task force collaborates with the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Virginia State Police, and the Prince William County Police Department. FBI Director Kash Patel praised the operation, emphasizing its role in restoring law and order.
“This is what happens when you let good cops be cops,” Patel stated at a press conference, acknowledging the contributions of Attorney General Pam Bondi, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in the coordinated efforts. He added that Villatoro’s arrest sends a strong message to violent gangs: their reign of terror is coming to an end.
Authorities tracked Villatoro to his mother’s home in Woodbridge, where an FBI SWAT team executed a raid, breaching the front and rear doors of the house. Villatoro was discovered hiding near the garage and refused to surrender, prompting agents to deploy a stun grenade before taking him into custody. A search of the premises revealed multiple firearms, including a Taurus G2C 9mm handgun, as well as ammunition and silencers.
Attorney General Bondi highlighted the severity of Villatoro’s crimes, stating, “He was one of the top leaders, responsible for heinous acts, and he should never have been in this country.” Governor Youngkin emphasized Virginia’s stance against sanctuary policies, warning jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal authorities are putting their communities at risk. He expressed a determination to remove dangerous criminals from the state and hinted at defunding local governments that resist ICE cooperation, citing Fairfax County as a particular example.
Bondi described Villatoro as “the worst of the worst” and linked the successful arrest to broader initiatives launched during former President Donald Trump’s administration, reinforcing the message that such aggressive law enforcement is crucial for community safety.
Interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik Siebert, noted the aggressive stance being taken against criminal organizations, indicating that 340 arrests have been made in less than a month. “To the criminals, all I have to say is, ‘we’re coming,'” he asserted.
Originally founded in Los Angeles by Salvadoran immigrants in the 1980s, MS-13 has gained notoriety as one of the most violent gangs in the United States. It was designated a terrorist organization during Trump’s presidency and has been linked to numerous violent crimes, particularly in Washington, DC, California, and Long Island, New York.
Communities in Long Island, especially Brentwood and other neighborhoods, have suffered from MS-13’s brutal violence, including the infamous 2016 murders of teenagers Kayla Cuevas and Nisa Mickens. Prosecutors reported that gang members killed the girls with baseball bats and machetes due to perceived disrespect on social media.
Local officials in New York have shown interest in establishing a task force similar to Virginia’s to combat gang violence effectively. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney expressed enthusiasm for federal collaboration, while Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly urged Governor Kathy Hochul to consider forming a gang task force in New York.
The success of the Virginia task force is being viewed as a potential model for other states. An FBI spokesperson noted, “This task force proves what’s possible when strong leadership meets real collaboration,” highlighting how the united state, local, and federal efforts have effectively addressed criminal activity in the region.
This operation follows the recent capture of Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, an MS-13 fugitive previously on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list. Bondi reiterated the administration’s commitment to dismantling the gang, asserting, “MS-13 is one of the most dangerous gangs in our country, and we are going to fight until they are completely dismantled.”
