Alleged MS-13 Leader Arrested By Authorities in Virginia

Federal authorities apprehended one of the top three alleged MS-13 leaders in the country just 30 miles outside of Washington, D.C., in a major blow to the notorious gang’s East Coast operations.

Quick Takes

One of the top three alleged MS-13 leaders in the US was arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia, approximately 30 miles from the nation’s capital.
The suspect is an undocumented migrant from El Salvador who will be deported after facing charges.
The operation involved multiple agencies including the FBI, ICE, ATF, Virginia State Police, and local law enforcement.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the arrest as part of a broader crackdown.
Over 340 criminals have been arrested in the past month as part of the Trump administration’s enforcement efforts.

Joint Operation Leads to High-Profile Arrest

A coordinated effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of one of the top alleged MS-13 gang leaders in the United States. The operation took place in Woodbridge, Virginia, just 30 miles outside Washington, D.C. The Department of Justice confirmed the arrest of the individual, who authorities identified as a man from El Salvador who was in the US illegally. According to officials, the suspect was one of the top three MS-13 leaders in America and controlled the gang’s East Coast operations from his Virginia base.

The arrest brought together the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Virginia State Police, and the Prince William County Police Department. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the successful operation alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in a press conference following the early morning raid.

Trump touts arrest of alleged MS-13 leader in Virginia https://t.co/jh2KJCB1bh

— The Hill (@thehill) March 27, 2025

Officials Celebrate Arrest as National Security Win

Attorney General Bondi emphasized the significance of the arrest in her press briefing, describing the detained individual as a major domestic security threat. “Early this morning, one of the top leaders of MS-13 was apprehended. He was the leader for the East Coast, one of the top three in the entire country. Right here in Virginia, living half an hour outside of Washington, D.C. He is an illegal alien from El Salvador and he will not be living in our country much longer. He’s in custody this morning,” Bondi stated.

FBI Director Kash Patel echoed these sentiments, crediting the success to renewed enforcement efforts. “This is what happens when you let good cops be cops,” Patel noted during the announcement. President Donald Trump quickly praised the operation on his Truth Social platform, specifically highlighting border czar Tom Homan’s contribution, calling him a “superstar” and celebrating the capture of “a major leader of MS13.”

Part of Broader Enforcement Strategy

The high-profile arrest is just one component of a larger crackdown on criminal organizations operating in the United States. Officials revealed that over 340 criminals have been arrested in the past month alone as part of the administration’s enforcement efforts. Attorney General Bondi framed these operations as fulfilling a mandate from the president, stating that “President Trump’s directive to me when I became Attorney General was to keep America safe, and make America safe again.”

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin used the occasion to emphasize his state’s stance on immigration enforcement. “It’s time for us to recognize that Virginia is not a sanctuary state,” Youngkin declared. The governor has proposed amendments to the state budget that would strip funding from local governments that fail to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. This has sparked controversy, with Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay arguing, according to Fox 5, that such measures could effectively “defund the police” while insisting that his county already complies with legal detainers.

Technology and Tactics Behind the Arrest

While officials were careful not to reveal specific operational details, they acknowledged that the operation involved advanced technology and sophisticated tactics. The arrest demonstrates the capabilities of modern law enforcement when various agencies pool their resources and intelligence. The apprehension of such a high-ranking MS-13 figure required careful planning and coordination, particularly given the gang’s notorious reputation for violence and its complex organizational structure that spans multiple countries.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who wrote about the arrest on X, the successful operation exemplifies “what happens when you have competent federal leadership working with state/local law enforcement on the ground.” Attorney General Bondi added that no new laws were needed to achieve these results, but rather a change in leadership and enforcement priorities. The suspect is expected to face criminal charges before eventually being deported to El Salvador.