MS-13 kingpin on El Salvador’s “Top 100 Most Wanted” list captured in Nebraska, ending violent fugitive’s run.

MS-13 Fugitive Caught in Targeted Federal Operation

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, supported by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), arrested an alleged MS-13 kingpin in Nebraska during a targeted enforcement operation on Wednesday. The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, is on El Salvador’s “Top 100 Most Wanted” list and faces charges including aggravated homicide of five victims, attempted aggravated homicide, deprivation of liberty, and terrorist organization affiliation in his home country.

Authorities also took into custody an MS-13 gang associate, described by ICE as a “foreign terrorist” wanted for orchestrating serious crimes such as murder and drug trafficking. Both individuals were living in the United States illegally, and federal officials labeled them a “serious threat” to the local community in Omaha and the broader Midwest region.

The arrests were made without incident after a planned operation. Video footage from the scene shows agents marked with “ATF Police” and “Homeland Security Investigations” moving in to detain the suspects, one of whom immediately raised his hands in surrender when confronted by law enforcement. ICE emphasized that the public should not interfere with federal operations, warning that misinformation about such arrests can put civilians at risk. “The misinformation, and sometimes blatant lies, being spread around the country could result in someone stepping into a federal operation and suddenly finding themselves face-to-face with a killer who has nothing to lose,” said ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons.

Mark Zito, Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations in Kansas City, noted, “These illegal aliens didn’t just sneak into our country, they brought with them a legacy of violence, terror, and death. They thought they could hide in America’s heartland, but they were sadly mistaken, not on our watch.”

Federal Agents Emphasize Public Safety Role

Authorities reiterated that ICE and ATF agents are working across the nation to identify and apprehend individuals with criminal records and convictions who pose threats to public safety. “Our ICE officers and agents are protecting your neighborhoods, even when you don’t know the threat is there, so either support them, or get out of the way,” said Lyons. The agency’s recent nationwide operations aim to highlight the importance of removing violent criminals from communities and keeping local residents safe.

The apprehension of one of El Salvador’s most wanted fugitives underscores the cross-border cooperation between U.S. and international law enforcement. As the investigation continues, officials stress that vigilance and targeted enforcement remain critical to combatting gang violence and transnational crime within American borders.