Alleged MS-13 street gang leader to remain in custody in Alexandria

DALE CITY, Va. - Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, 24, an alleged high-ranking MS-13 gang leader from El Salvador, who was arrested last week at a townhouse in Dale City, Virginia, appeared before a judge on Tuesday.

Santos waived a detention hearing, meaning he'll stay in custody here in Alexandria. Authorities describe him as one of MS-13’s top three leaders in the United States. 

According to new information released Tuesday, Santos has been in the United States for more than a decade, crossing the border illegally at age 14 and being sent to his mom in Manassas. 

Court records say he was living in a garage bedroom and had been under surveillance for allegedly directing gang activity. During the operation, agents deployed a stun grenade to force him from hiding. 

Santos was taken into custody on an outstanding administrative immigration warrant and faces charges of illegal gun possession after several firearms were discovered during a search of the premises.

Reports indicate he was recruited into MS-13 as early as middle school and then rose up the ranks to run their East Coast operations.

READ MORE: WATCH: New video shows arrest of alleged MS-13 gang leader in Virginia

Suspect faces gun and immigration charges

What we know:

The Trump administration touted the arrest as a significant step toward fulfilling its campaign promises to curb illegal immigration and dismantle gangs.

"Despite the tremendous success of this task force, I want the public to know that this is just the beginning of our efforts. We have a sense of urgency about this, and we do not plan on stopping until everyone of these violent gang members is off the streets," said Erik Siebert, interim U.S. Attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. "To the criminals I just have to say, we’re coming."

READ MORE: Top MS-13 gang leader arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia

Task force targets nearly 600 MS-13 affiliates

Dig deeper:

Siebert noted that the task force has identified nearly 600 targets, although officials would not disclose the specifics of their intelligence technology. Officials say Santos was one of 342 targets captured in Virginia since March 3. Prosecutors saying 81 of them have gang affiliations.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration designated MS-13 — also known as Mara Salvatrucha — as a foreign terrorist organization, joining seven other Latin American criminal groups in that classification.

"These gang members have been known for brutal violence involving machetes, kidnappings, sex trafficking, but their primary operation is drug distribution fentanyl in America. If it's true, then he's sort of a general — top three generals in the country," former federal prosecutor John Deaton said.

Nothing was said in court on Tuesday about his MS-13 ties or leadership. The criminal charges of firearm possession are being sent to a federal grand jury.