Federal authorities have confirmed the capture and extradition of a significant MS-13 figure, marking another major development in a series of high-profile arrests made during the opening months of 2025. According to officials, the case reflects long-running investigative efforts across multiple agencies and international partners.
Arrest of Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales
Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, identified as a senior leader of the transnational gang MS-13, was successfully extradited from Mexico to the United States after a coordinated operation involving the FBI, Mexican law enforcement, and U.S. federal prosecutors. Roman-Bardales had been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for his alleged involvement in a variety of violent and criminal activities.
Authorities say he played a key role in:
Drug trafficking and distribution networks linking the U.S. and El Salvador
Extortion schemes targeting businesses and individuals in multiple regions
Ordering acts of violence, including attacks on civilians and rival gang factions
Coordinating cross-border criminal operations
These accusations placed him among the most dangerous fugitives being pursued by federal agents. His arrest and extradition represent a major step in dismantling parts of MS-13’s infrastructure and influence in the Western Hemisphere.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the capture as the result of significant intelligence work, long-term surveillance, and cooperation between governments. He emphasized that apprehending Roman-Bardales had been a priority given the scope and severity of his alleged crimes.
Other Major Arrests in 2025
The announcement arrived shortly after confirmation that two other fugitives from the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list were taken into custody earlier in the year. Each case involved its own complexities, investigations, and interstate coordination.
January 30, 2025 – Arrest of Arnoldo Jimenez
Arnoldo Jimenez, who had been wanted for years in connection with a first-degree murder case, was captured after extensive pursuit. Investigators reportedly tracked leads across several states before locating him, ending one of the country’s longest ongoing fugitive searches. His capture brought relief to the victim’s family and to law enforcement officials who had remained committed to the case for more than a decade.
January 25, 2025 – Arrest of Donald Eugene Fields II
Just days earlier, authorities arrested Donald Eugene Fields II, a fugitive accused of child rape and child sex trafficking. His case had mobilized multiple local and federal agencies due to the graphic nature of the allegations and the threat he posed to minors. The arrest was described by investigators as the culmination of a wide-ranging effort that relied on digital forensics, community tips, and collaboration with state authorities.
A Focus on Public Safety
Officials within the Trump administration stated that these arrests demonstrate the government’s continued commitment to locating, tracking, and apprehending dangerous individuals who pose a threat to communities across the country. While administrations may differ in approach, the underlying mission of the FBI — to investigate serious crimes, protect the public, and maintain national security — remains consistent.
Law enforcement agencies have reiterated that large, coordinated operations often require:
International partnerships
Joint task forces
Data-sharing between jurisdictions
Community cooperation
Persistent, long-term surveillance
These three arrests did not happen overnight — they were built on years of intelligence gathering and collaboration.
Looking Ahead
With three fugitives captured from the Ten Most Wanted list in the first months of 2025, federal agencies say they will continue pressing forward with investigations into organized crime, violent offenders, and trafficking networks that span local, national, and international borders.
Officials urge the public to remain attentive, submit tips when appropriate, and remember that large breakthroughs often come from everyday individuals who report suspicious activity.
The FBI is expected to release updated profiles for current fugitives remaining on the Ten Most Wanted list as investigations continue.