Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(163,352 posts)
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 01:39 PM Apr 12

DOJ Said Arrested Salvadoran Was The MS-13 Leader For The East Coast; Days Later It's Dropping Its Case


The DOJ justified its decision saying that Josue Villatoro Santos "won't be in this country much longer"

Demian Bio @bio_demian / Published Apr 10 2025, 11:14 AM EDT

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in a nationally televised press conference in late March the arrest of Josue Villatoro Santos, a Virginia man who she claimed was the MS-13 leader for the East Coast. Two weeks later, the Department of Justice is moving to drop its criminal case against him.

Bondi said Villatoro Santos was responsible for "very violent crimes, anything you can associate with MS-13." "He was the leader over it, all of the violent crimes," added Bondi, who also claimed the man had been "recruited in middle school."

. . .

The development follows a report by Drop Site News, which claimed another MS-13 leader was likely deported so he wouldn't reveal shady deals between Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and local gangs.

The outlet cited the case of gang leader Cesar Humberto Lopez-Larios, known as "Greñas," who had been in U.S. custody after being arrested in Mexico in 2023 and was considered a key figure in the U.S. case against MS-13 leadership.

According to U.S. Justice Department record cited by the outlet, "Greñas" was allegedly involved in secret negotiations between MS-13 and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's government, in which gang leaders were offered incentives in exchange for reducing violence and providing political support. Bukele has long denied these negotiations, but his administration has resisted extraditing MS-13 leaders to the U.S., raising speculation about his desire to keep their testimony out of American courts.

More:
https://www.latintimes.com/doj-said-arrested-salvadoran-was-ms-13-leader-east-coast-days-later-its-dropping-its-case-580392
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
DOJ Said Arrested Salvadoran Was The MS-13 Leader For The East Coast; Days Later It's Dropping Its Case (Original Post) Judi Lynn Apr 12 OP
They really have muddled thinking. MS 13 is not an existential threat to the United States. Walleye Apr 12 #1
And this is why the Supreme Court stated that you have to go through due process in this country Baitball Blogger Apr 12 #2
They're dropping the case orangecrush Apr 12 #3
I think you're exactly right n/t radical noodle Apr 12 #4
This is basically human trafficking. It is barbaric. Dark n Stormy Knight Apr 13 #6
It's ideology and/or idolatry with these appointees, but never competency. surfered Apr 12 #5

Walleye

(39,776 posts)
1. They really have muddled thinking. MS 13 is not an existential threat to the United States.
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 01:43 PM
Apr 12

I mean it’s not like they stormed to the Capitol or anything and tried to overturn a presidential election. They are guilty mainly of street crime as far as I can tell. We have jails and prisons and courts for that right here in this country we don’t have to prove to the rest world that we are as cruel as assholes as the worst

Baitball Blogger

(49,860 posts)
2. And this is why the Supreme Court stated that you have to go through due process in this country
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 02:03 PM
Apr 12

Last edited Sun Apr 13, 2025, 05:02 AM - Edit history (1)

before you can justify a deportation. Now you just confirmed to the world that you're either prejudiced hacks and/or crazy incompetent.

orangecrush

(24,314 posts)
3. They're dropping the case
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 02:36 PM
Apr 12

So he will go straight to an ICE detention center and then to El Salvador.

I read his defense is actually trying to keep the case open for this reason.

I might be mistaken.

Dark n Stormy Knight

(10,349 posts)
6. This is basically human trafficking. It is barbaric.
Sun Apr 13, 2025, 01:22 PM
Apr 13

We need a Justice system that is JUST. This Human Rights Bingo game needs to stop.

We all need to be making a big noise against this. But fascist Pissolini & his henchmaen are wrecking everything so fast it's impossible to keep up.

5calls.org
Resistbot
Indivisible
50501
Torches & Pitchforks?
I don't know the answer, but we can't just let this all happen without a fight.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Latin America»DOJ Said Arrested Salvado...