A suspected East Coast leader of the violent MS-13 gang was arrested in Virginia following a multi-agency operation carried out by federal and local law enforcement. Authorities took 24-year-old Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos into custody in Dale City, where he had reportedly been operating while evading immigration enforcement.
Law enforcement officials recovered several firearms and firearm suppressors during the arrest, leading to formal charges of illegal possession of weapons by a non-citizen. Investigators allege that Villatoro Santos played a key leadership role within MS-13, coordinating gang activity along the East Coast and maintaining ties to broader transnational criminal operations.
The operation involved cooperation between federal agencies and local police, including tactical support teams and surveillance units that tracked the suspect over an extended period. Authorities say the arrest was executed without incident.
Officials involved in the operation stated that the capture of Villatoro Santos is part of a broader national initiative targeting violent gang leadership embedded in U.S. communities. The arrest is expected to lead to further legal actions and may provide intelligence useful in dismantling MS-13’s regional command structure.
Federal prosecutors are moving forward with charges while immigration authorities evaluate additional actions related to the suspect’s status. Investigations into associated gang activity in the area are ongoing.