Judge Grants DOJ Request to Dismiss Gun Charge Against Alleged MS-13 Leader, Paving Way for Quick Deportation

The Justice Department is prioritizing deportation of the suspect rather than prosecution.
Judge Grants DOJ Request to Dismiss Gun Charge Against Alleged MS-13 Leader, Paving Way for Quick Deportation
Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington on Feb. 12, 2025. Ben Curtis/AP Photo
Tom Ozimek
Updated:
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A federal judge in Virginia has granted the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) request to dismiss a gun charge against a Salvadoran national whom Trump administration officials have called a senior leader of the notorious MS-13 transnational gang—clearing the way for his possible swift deportation.

In a minute order issued on April 15, U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick approved the DOJ’s motion to dismiss the criminal complaint against 24-year-old Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos but delayed entry of the order until 10 a.m. on April 18 to give his defense attorney time to explore potential legal avenues to prevent his transfer into immigration custody.

Tom Ozimek
Tom Ozimek
Reporter
Tom Ozimek is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times. He has a broad background in journalism, deposit insurance, marketing and communications, and adult education.
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