Accused MS-13 leader nabbed by Patel's FBI to remain in custody for now, judge rules

An accused MS-13 leader will remain in federal custody after a judge found probable cause to support the government's case against him.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Porter of the Eastern District of Virginia made the ruling Tuesday during a detention hearing for Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, a 24-year-old Salvadoran national arrested last week in suburban Virginia.

Santos, who wore a green jumpsuit during the hearing, was represented by Valencia Roberts, a public defender. The defense was not seeking release. 

Santos spoke through an interpreter during the hearing and told the judge that he understood that his lawyer was not seeking his release.

Government lawyer Alexander Blanchard called ICE agent Jason Klepec to the stand to testify about Santos' arrest, and establish probable cause that Santos committed the offenses he had been charged with.

Blanchard showed government exhibits which contained photos of a Taurus 9 mm handgun that the prosecutor said was found in Santos' bedroom. Another exhibit included pictures of two suppressors, also known as silencers.

Santos' attorney brought into question one of the suppressors, saying it was actually an Airsoft suppressor, or a BB gun accessory. The ICE agent said the suppressor was in ATF's possession to be correctly identified. 

It is unclear when Santos will appear in court again. However, Porter said the matter will go before a grand jury in the following days. 

Santos' attorney declined to comment further. 

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was removed from Maryland when the administration sent three planeloads of Salvadoran and Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador's "Terrorism Confinement Center" on March 15 for alleged gang affiliations.

Bondi, Patel, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove were all present during Santos' arrest at a nearby tactical operations center. 

"They executed a clean, safe operation, and the bad guy's in custody. And thanks to the FBI, we got one of the worst of the worst of the MS-13 off the streets this morning. Virginia and the country is a lot safer today," Bondi told Fox News after the fact. 

Authorities found a 9mm handgun, three additional firearms, ammunition and two suppressors in Santos' bedroom, according to court documents.

Patel echoed Trump's sentiment, saying, "This is what can happen when you put good cops in good places to take on bad guys. And America should be watching this. And we are proud to be here standing with these brave warriors."

Fox News' David Spunt, Jake Gibson, and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.