Pam Bondi Highlights Arrest of Alleged MS-13 Leader
Attorney General Pam Bondi discussed the recent arrest of a top MS-13 gang leader, emphasizing the importance of the operation in enhancing public safety.
In a recent interview on ‘The Ingraham Angle,’ Attorney General Pam Bondi detailed the arrest of Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador believed to be a top leader of the MS-13 gang. Santos was apprehended early Thursday morning in Virginia, marking a significant victory in the ongoing efforts to combat gang-related crime in the United States.
Bondi revealed that Santos had been living illegally in the U.S. for over a decade and was allegedly recruited into the gang during middle school. The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort by a task force comprising the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The operation led to Santos being charged with illegal gun possession after a search of his home.
The former Florida attorney general praised the collaborative efforts of the agencies involved, stating, “We took one of the worst of the worst off the streets today. Americans are safer because of Donald Trump.” The arrest aligns with the Trump administration’s commitment to cracking down on illegal immigration and deporting criminal migrants.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and FBI Director Kash Patel also commended the operation, highlighting the importance of eradicating drug and terrorist networks. MS-13, officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department, remains a primary target in these efforts.
Bondi emphasized the Justice Department’s intention to deport Santos to El Salvador, where he would be held at the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT), a mega-prison designed to house members of MS-13 and other gangs. “Let’s send him home. That’s where he belongs,” Bondi asserted, indicating that further charges against Santos are expected.