Federal authorities have arrested one of the most senior leaders of the notoriously violent MS-13 gang, apprehending him just outside Washington, D.C., in what officials are calling a major step forward for public safety. The arrest took place early Thursday in Dale City, Virginia, and was the result of weeks of planning by a federal-state-local task force.
Attorney General Pam Bondi made the announcement during a press conference flanked by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and FBI Director Kash Patel. Bondi described the suspect as one of the top three MS-13 leaders in the United States and the gang’s commander for the entire East Coast. She confirmed the individual is an illegal alien from El Salvador and is now in federal custody pending deportation.
“Early this morning, one of the top leaders of MS-13 was apprehended,” Bondi stated. “He is an illegal alien from El Salvador and he will not be living in our country much longer.” She emphasized that all agents involved in the operation remained safe and praised the joint effort as an example of how local and federal cooperation can yield real results.
MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, has long been identified by federal agencies as one of the most dangerous criminal organizations operating inside the U.S. With its brutal reputation and international reach, the gang has become a target of major law enforcement crackdowns over the past decade. The suspect arrested Thursday reportedly held command over a significant portion of the gang’s East Coast operations.
Bondi noted that advanced technology played a key role in the operation but did not disclose specific details. She stated the Department of Justice remains committed to dismantling the gang entirely and pledged to offer the same type of joint task force to other states that request it. “America is safer today because one of the top domestic terrorists in MS-13 is off the streets,” she said.
BREAKING: I’m proud to announce that early this morning our brave law enforcement officers conducted a successful operation that captured a top MS-13 national leader
DOJ will not rest until we make America safe again. pic.twitter.com/yKmhas068b
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) March 27, 2025
Governor Youngkin, who has previously been critical of the Biden Administration’s handling of immigration enforcement, highlighted the importance of state-federal partnerships. “He’s going to go back where he came from,” Youngkin said, thanking the Trump Administration for laying the groundwork for the law enforcement strategies used in the operation. “We had no help from the Biden Administration in my first three years.”
The arrest also drew praise from national leaders. Former President Donald Trump celebrated the news on Truth Social, attributing the success to former ICE Director Tom Homan, who has served as his border security advisor. “Just captured a major leader of MS13. Tom HOMAN is a superstar!” Trump posted.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also echoed praise for the successful operation, writing on X: “This is what happens when you have competent federal leadership working with state/local law enforcement on the ground!”
The operation is a significant victory in the broader fight against transnational gangs that have plagued American communities. It also highlights the challenges posed when federal immigration policy does not align with local and state security priorities. The fact that a top MS-13 figure was living undetected for so long near the nation’s capital underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement and better coordination.
This case serves as a reminder of the national security implications of illegal immigration and weak border policy. Violent gang leaders are exploiting lapses in enforcement, embedding themselves within communities, and continuing operations unchecked. Removing high-level threats like this MS-13 leader is a step toward restoring order, but lasting safety requires leadership that prioritizes law and order over politics.
