Trump administration says 'top MS-13 national leader' arrested
The U.S. has arrested a top MS-13 gang member, according to a post on X by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
"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," Bondi posted. "DOJ will not rest until we make America safe again."
The alleged MS-13 leader taken into custody this morning in Virginia is Henrry Villatoro Santos, according to a DOJ official and court records unsealed Thursday.
Court records detailed the events leading up to Villatoro's arrest, he had been subject to FBI surveillance at his residence in Woodbridge, Virginia, throughout this month, his affidavit said.
FBI SWAT members breached the front and rear doors of his residence early Thursday morning and observed him in sheltering in an alcove leading to a garage, according to the affidavit.
When Villatoro did not comply with agents' demands to exit the residence, they deployed a stun grenade and he eventually came close enough to the door for an agent to pull him out and place him under arrest.
Inside the residence, agents recovered four firearms, ammunition and two suppressors, as well as "indicia of MS-13 association in the garage bedroom." The affidavit didn't make any additional allegations regarding his leadership in MS-13, after Bondi described him earlier Thursday as one of the gang's top three leaders.
Villatoro will make his initial appearance in federal court Thursday evening, and currently faces a single charge of being "an alien in possession of a firearm."
The photo shared on X by Bondi showed a major operation in northern Virginia with FBI officials, including Director Kash Patel, and dozens of officers.
At a press conference on site, Bondi, Patel and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin touted the arrest of a 24-year-old who was allegedly a top-3 MS-13 gang member.
Bondi touted the operation as a success, lauding the teamwork of the various agencies involved and said she personally witnessed the collaboration.
"America is safer today because of one of the top domestic terrorists in MS-13, he is off the streets," she said. "This guy was living in a neighborhood right around you. No longer. Thanks to the great men and women of law enforcement, this task force that we have created is remarkable, using incredible technology that we will not discuss, to catch and apprehend these horrible, violent, worst of the worst criminals."
Officials did not release the name of the individual they arrested.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House on Thursday morning it was a "big win" for Americans.
"This was a very violent individual who was picked up in a home with five children present," she said. "So our communities are safer this morning, it's a good day."
President Donald Trump celebrated the arrest in a post on his social media platform, applaud his "border czar," Tom Homan.
"Just captured a major leader of MS13. Tom HOMAN is a superstar!," Trump wrote.
ABC News' Hannah Demissie contributed to this report.
