Top MS-13 leader arrested in Virginia: White House officials
Share and Follow


() One of the MS-13 gang’s top leaders has been arrested in Virginia by U.S. authorities, multiple Trump administration officials confirmed on Thursday.

“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,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said at a Thursday morning press conference.

Authorities have not yet released the arrestee’s name, but Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed he is a Salvadorian national who was living in Virginia, “half an hour outside of Washington, D.C.”

“I can now confirm that earlier this morning, law enforcement personnel arrested a top MS-13 leader in Virginia … Justice is coming,” FBI Director Kash Patel said on X.

Following the arrest, President Donald Trump on Truth Social called border czar Tom Homan a “superstar.”

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on social media commended Patel, Bondi, Homan and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She pointed to collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement as a reason behind the arrest.

Last week, the FBI announced the arrest of one of the agency’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives,” alleged MS-13 member Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales.

What is MS-13?

MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, is a gang created by Salvadoran immigrants in America. The U.S. Department of Justice describes the organization as “well-organized and is heavily involved in lucrative illegal enterprises, being notorious for its use of violence to achieve its objectives.

Members of MS-13 have allegedly been involved in rapes and witness intimidation. The group has also been known to “participate in numerous transnational crimes,” according to the DOJ. The department claimed they also participated in weapon smuggling and illegal firearm sales.

‘s Steph Whiteside and Anna Kutz contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Scott Boras reveals Yankees' competition for Cody Bellinger

Scott Boras Unveils the Yankees’ Rivals in the Chase for Cody Bellinger

ORLANDO, Fla. — On Tuesday, one prospective team interested in Cody Bellinger…
Matthew Lillard's child defends dad after shock Quentin Tarantino jab

Matthew Lillard’s Offspring Speaks Out After Quentin Tarantino’s Unexpected Remark

Matthew Lillard’s child, Ace Lillard, recently came to their father’s defense after…
Georgia high school shooter Colt Gray shows off drastically different appearance at court hearing

Georgia School Shooter Colt Gray Unveils New Look During Court Appearance

During a court appearance on Tuesday, a teenager accused of executing a…
Luigi Mangione said 'all these people here for a mass murder, why?' at arraignment: police officer

Shocking Courtroom Moment: Luigi Mangione Questions Mass Murder Charges During Arraignment

Luigi Mangione appeared taken aback by the sizable crowd awaiting him outside…
'Very relieved': Deputies recount rescuing elderly man from sinking car in St. Johns County pond

Heroic Rescue: Deputies Save Elderly Man from Sinking Vehicle in St. Johns County Pond

Deputies Eddy Monduy and Jeremiah Foster are being hailed as heroes after…
Arkansas woman and children found dead at mansion home day after final divorce hearing with estranged husband

Tragic Turn of Events: Arkansas Woman and Kids Discovered Dead in Mansion Post-Divorce Hearing

In a tragic turn of events, a woman and her two children…
Testimony begins in civil trial on 2020 downtown Chicago police shooting at Grand CTA Red Line station

Civil Trial Commences Over 2020 Police Shooting at Chicago’s Grand CTA Red Line Station

CHICAGO (WLS) — Viewers are advised that some footage in this report…
Musician is killed walking dog as suspect's arrest history is revealed

Musician Tragically Killed While Walking Dog; Suspect’s Arrest Record Disclosed

A tragic incident unfolded in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, as a renowned musician,…