Top MS-13 leader described as ‘worst of the worst’ arrested in Virginia during major Trump-backed operation
SUMMARY
On March 27, 2025, U.S. authorities apprehended a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador, identified as a leading figure of the MS-13 gang on the East Coast and among the top three nationwide, in a significant Trump administration-backed operation in Dale City, Prince William County, Virginia. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest, highlighting its role in a broader initiative that has resulted in over 340 criminal apprehensions in the past month. The early morning raid, executed near Washington, D.C., involved a coordinated effort by the FBI, ICE, ATF, Virginia State Police, and Prince William County Police Department. FBI Director Kash Patel praised the operation, stating, “This is what happens when you let good cops be cops,” while Bondi described the suspect as “the worst of the worst,” emphasizing President Trump’s directive to enhance national safety. Limited details have been released about the operation’s specifics.
