DOJ Drops Charges Against Alleged MS-13 Leader

The Department of Justice has dropped charges against Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, a 24-year-old Salvadoran national accused of being a top MS-13 leader on the East Coast. Santos was arrested in Virginia on March 27 during a raid that uncovered firearms and signs of gang affiliation. The DOJ's decision to dismiss the gun possession charge without prejudice paves the way for his potential deportation, aligning with the Trump administration's efforts to remove alleged gang members. Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials had previously highlighted Santos as a significant figure within MS-13, but the DOJ has not provided an explanation for the sudden reversal. This move follows a similar pattern where charges against alleged MS-13 members have been dropped to expedite deportation proceedings.