Top MS-13 Leader Arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia, in Major FBI Operation
Woodbridge, VA – March 27, 2025 – In a significant victory against organized crime, the FBI announced the arrest of a top-tier MS-13 gang leader in Woodbridge, Virginia, on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The 24-year-old suspect, identified as one of the three most influential leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang in the United States, was apprehended in a meticulously planned early-morning raid just 20 miles south of Washington, D.C. This operation underscores a renewed federal push to dismantle the violent transnational gang under the Trump administration, with high-ranking officials hailing it as a critical step toward enhancing national security.
A Coordinated Strike
The arrest was the result of a joint operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Prince William County Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Virginia State Police. Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin were directly involved in overseeing the effort, with Bondi describing it as a “clean, safe operation” that removed “one of the worst of the worst” from American streets. Speaking to Fox News, she emphasized the collaborative nature of the mission, stating, “Virginia and the country are a lot safer today because of this teamwork.”
The suspect, whose name has not yet been released pending further investigation, is a Salvadoran national believed to wield significant influence over MS-13’s East Coast operations. Authorities executed the raid in Woodbridge, a suburban community in Prince William County known for its proximity to the capital, highlighting the gang’s audacious reach into areas close to the heart of U.S. governance.
🚨New: U.S. authorities say they arrested a top MS-13 leader for the U.S. East Coast in Woodbridge, Virginia.
— Nick Minock (@NickMinock) March 27, 2025
“Just captured a major leader of MS13. Tom HOMAN is a superstar!” – President Donald Trump.
MS-13: A Persistent Threat
MS-13, founded in Los Angeles in the 1980s by Salvadoran immigrants fleeing civil unrest, has evolved into one of the most feared criminal organizations in the Western Hemisphere. With an estimated 10,000 members in the U.S. and tens of thousands more globally, the gang is notorious for its savage violence, including machete killings, dismemberments, and extortion rackets. Its operations span drug trafficking, human smuggling, and contract murders, often directed by leaders in El Salvador through a complex network of regional cliques.
The Woodbridge suspect is suspected of orchestrating a wide range of criminal activities along the East Coast, a region where MS-13 has entrenched itself in communities from New York to Virginia. Fairfax County, just north of Woodbridge, has been a known hotspot for gang-related violence, with incidents of brutal murders and assaults tied to MS-13 in recent years. This arrest follows a pattern of intensified efforts against the gang, including the extradition of Francisco Javier Román-Bardales, another alleged senior MS-13 leader, from Mexico to the U.S. on March 18, 2025. Román-Bardales, a fugitive on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, faced charges of racketeering, narco-terrorism, and alien smuggling, signaling a broader campaign targeting the gang’s upper echelon.
Official Response and Political Context
The arrest has drawn swift praise from top officials. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to celebrate the operation, writing, “Just captured a major leader of MS13. Tom HOMAN is a superstar” Trump credited his “Border Czar,” Tom Homan, for spearheading efforts to combat illegal immigration and gang activity, framing the arrest as a fulfillment of his administration’s law-and-order agenda. Attorney General Bondi echoed this sentiment on X, declaring, “DOJ will not rest until we make America safe again,” while Governor Youngkin is expected to join Bondi and Patel at a press conference later today at the FBI’s Washington Field Office to provide further details.
The timing of the arrest, less than a week after Román-Bardales’ extradition, suggests a strategic escalation in the fight against MS-13. Posts on X reflect a mix of relief and skepticism among the public, with some users applauding the crackdown while others question how such a high-ranking figure operated so close to the capital undetected. One user noted, “A top MS-13 member was arrested 30 minutes from the White House—out of all places, that’s an odd choice for a narco kingpin,” highlighting the gang’s bold proximity to power.
Broader Implications
While specific charges against the Woodbridge suspect remain undisclosed, MS-13 leaders typically face allegations of racketeering (RICO), murder, drug trafficking, and immigration violations. The suspect’s arrest could disrupt the gang’s command structure, particularly on the East Coast, where it has exploited suburban and urban areas alike. Law enforcement officials hope this takedown will yield intelligence leading to further arrests, as captured leaders often provide critical information under plea negotiations.
The operation also carries political weight amid ongoing debates over border security and crime. Trump and his allies have long pointed to MS-13 as a symbol of the dangers posed by illegal immigration, a narrative reinforced by this high-profile arrest. Critics, however, argue that the gang’s presence predates current policies and reflects deeper systemic challenges, including economic disparity and international gang networks.
Looking Ahead
As of 5:49 AM PDT on March 27, 2025, the investigation remains fluid, with authorities tight-lipped about the suspect’s identity and the full scope of his activities. The upcoming press conference, featuring Bondi, Patel, and Youngkin, alongside interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erik Siebert, is expected to shed light on the operation’s details and its anticipated impact on MS-13’s U.S. operations.
For residents of Woodbridge and the broader D.C. metro area, the arrest serves as a stark reminder of the hidden threats lurking in suburban enclaves. For law enforcement, it’s a testament to the power of interagency collaboration and a signal that the fight against MS-13 is far from over. As the case unfolds, it will likely fuel both public discourse and policy debates, with the nation watching closely to see how this victory reshapes the battle against one of America’s most ruthless criminal enterprises.
