Feds arrest MS-13 gang ‘leader for the East Coast’ in Virginia: DOJ

• Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly took part in an operation in northern Virginia that led to the arrest of a reputed gang member. Bondi later said at a news conference that the man arrested is one of the leaders of the gang MS-13.
• She did not identify him by name but said he is 24 years old, from El Salvador and that America is safer now that he is in custody.
• Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters that a four-week operation culminated with this high-profile arrest, and said that the reputed gang member would be sent out of the country.

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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that federal authorities have arrested one of the key leaders of the gang MS-13. Bondi announced the arrest at a press conference in Virginia on Thursday, March 27.

Who is the alleged gang leader?

Bondi said the gang member is an MS-13 leader on the East Coast and one of the top three leaders of the gang in the entire country. Officials did not release his name but said he is a 24-year-old from El Salvador.

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Bondi posted pictures to the social media site X of a major operation in northern Virginia with dozens of officers in camouflage, FBI agents and other state and local law enforcers.

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

The attorney general called MS-13 the worst of the worst when it comes to gangs, and that the group is responsible for many killings.

What do other officials say about the operation?

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R, says it was a month-long operation that culminated with this arrest and others. He called those arrested “horrific criminals that live in our neighborhoods.”

The governor made reference to President Trump’s deportation plan, and said the recently arrested leader of MS-13 will be sent “back to where he came from.”

This week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem toured a prison in El Salvador where alleged Tren de Aragua gang members were sent from the United States earlier in March. Their deportation has been the subject of a federal court fight that is still ongoing.

President Donald Trump also applauded the capture of the MS-13 suspect on his platform, Truth Social, calling it a big deal.