Justice Department Moves to Drop MS-13 Leader's Charges, Attorney Raises Due Process Concerns

The Justice Department seeks to dismiss charges against Henrry Villatoro Santos, accused of being an MS-13 leader, prompting fears of immediate deportation.

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DOJ asks to dismiss Virginia case against Salvadoran accused MS-13 leader set to be deported

FOX News

Justice Department prosecutors dropping charges against man they accused of being MS-13’s ‘leader for the East Coast’ | Politics

CNN

DOJ seeks to drop charges against man it said was "East Coast leader" of MS-13 gang

CBS News

DOJ moves to drop case against man it called top MS-13 leader. His attorney opposes that.

USA TODAY

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

The Justice Department has sought to drop gun possession charges against Henrry Villatoro Santos, alleged leader of MS-13 on the East Coast, raising concerns about potential deportation to El Salvador without due process. Attorney General Pam Bondi previously called Santos a top gang leader, but the recent decision marks a significant reversal, with Santos' defense arguing this could lead to unlawful deportation. His lawyer expressed fears for Santos' safety in El Salvador’s prisons and highlighted the unusual nature of the case. The court will decide on the dismissal motion soon.

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