Alleged leader of MS-13 street gang on the East Coast is arrested in Virginia

The arrest of the 24-year-old man from El Salvador, who was described as one of MS-13’s top three leaders in the United States, is being hailed as a major victory in the Trump administration’s effort to crack down on a gang known for brutal violence and extortion.

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks about a 24 year-old MS-13 gang leader who was arrested in an operation by the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force in Dale City, VA., on March 27, 2025, during a news conference at the Manassas FBI Field Office, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Manassas, VA. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey)(AP/Rod Lamkey)MANASSAS, Va. (AP) — The alleged leader of the violent MS-13 street gang on the East Coast has been arrested in Virginia, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday.