President Donald J. Trump has once again reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to cracking down on dangerous criminals who threaten the safety and well-being of American communities. In the latest development, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, a senior leader of the notoriously violent MS-13 gang, has been extradited from Mexico to the United States to face federal charges.
The extradition follows an announcement by FBI Director Kash Patel, who revealed yesterday that another fugitive from the agency’s “Ten Most Wanted” list had also been apprehended. Roman-Bardales had been a high-priority target for law enforcement due to his alleged leadership role in MS-13’s drug distribution and extortion networks operating across the United States and El Salvador. Authorities also allege that he ordered multiple acts of violence, including assaults on civilians and rival gang members, in an effort to maintain the gang’s dominance.
The capture of Roman-Bardales marks the third time in recent weeks that a fugitive from the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list has been taken into custody since President Trump took office.
On January 30, 2025, federal agents arrested Arnoldo Jimenez, who had been wanted on first-degree murder charges for the killing of his bride less than 24 hours after their wedding. His arrest ended a more than decade-long manhunt.
Just days earlier, on January 25, 2025, law enforcement officials apprehended Donald Eugene Fields II, a suspect facing charges of child rape and child sex trafficking. Fields’ arrest was the culmination of a multi-agency investigation targeting individuals who exploit vulnerable children.
President Trump and his administration have made it clear that protecting the American people from violent offenders remains a top priority. Speaking on the recent wave of high-profile arrests, a senior administration official stated, “We will not rest until every dangerous criminal is brought to justice. These arrests send a strong message: you cannot hide from the United States of America.”
MS-13, known for its brutal tactics and transnational criminal operations, has long been a target of federal crackdowns. The removal of Roman-Bardales from the streets is being hailed by law enforcement officials as a significant step toward dismantling the gang’s leadership and weakening its influence both domestically and abroad.
With three dangerous fugitives now off the streets in less than a month, the Trump Administration is signaling that its war on violent crime is far from over—and that justice will be pursued relentlessly, no matter where fugitives try to hide.
