The FBI’s recent success in apprehending fugitives from its Ten Most Wanted list marks a significant shift in federal law enforcement strategy since President Trump’s second term began in January 2025. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, three of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives have been captured within two months of the administration’s return—an outcome that Patel attributes to the agency’s renewed focus on combating violent crime under the new leadership.
This rapid string of arrests is not merely coincidental. As Patel emphasized in his statement, when federal law enforcement officers are given the autonomy and resources to do their jobs without political interference, tangible results follow. This sentiment was echoed by former FBI agent and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker, who praised the administration’s commitment to making America safer by aggressively targeting violent criminals. Parker recalled a similar emphasis on law enforcement priorities during Trump’s first term, particularly in addressing violent crime.
The FBI and @TheJusticeDept @AGPamBondi have captured our third fugitive on the Ten Most Wanted list since January 20, 2025.
That’s not an accident.
When you let good cops be good cops, this is what happens.
This administration is giving the new FBI and AG Bondi the resources…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 19, 2025
The three fugitives captured since January 20 include individuals accused of crimes ranging from narco-terrorism and racketeering to murder and child exploitation. One of the most high-profile arrests was that of 47-year-old Roman-Bardales, an alleged senior MS-13 leader. Authorities apprehended him in Mexico, and he was quickly extradited to the United States.
His capture represents a major victory in the ongoing fight against transnational criminal organizations, which have long posed a significant threat to public safety. FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Leslie Backschies reinforced this point, stating that the FBI remains dedicated to dismantling MS-13 and other violent criminal enterprises.
Breaking in Mexico: 🚨 The third member of the FBI’s ten most wanted fugitives list has just been apprehended under President Trump.
Gitmo or El Salvador, America?
The FBI successfully extradited Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, 47, a key leader of the MS-13 terr*rist gang! pic.twitter.com/zZ0szroXkm
— Tom Homan – Border Czar MAGA News Reports (@TomHoman_) March 19, 2025
Another major arrest was that of Arnoldo Jimenez, a fugitive wanted for the brutal murder of his wife in 2012. Jimenez allegedly killed his spouse just two days after their wedding and fled the country to avoid prosecution. His capture, facilitated by collaboration between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies, underscores the effectiveness of international cooperation in apprehending fugitives who attempt to evade justice by crossing borders.
The third fugitive, Donald Eugene Fields II, was caught in Florida after a routine traffic stop by the Lady Lake Police Department. Fields, wanted for child sex trafficking and child rape charges, had been a fugitive for years. His arrest highlights the role of local law enforcement in federal manhunts and serves as a reminder of the persistent efforts by authorities to track down individuals accused of heinous crimes.
The administration’s law enforcement strategy has already yielded significant results, and supporters argue that these early successes validate Trump’s renewed emphasis on crime reduction. Parker, for one, expressed enthusiasm for what lies ahead, noting that if the FBI’s first two months under Patel’s leadership are any indication, the next several years could bring even more aggressive and effective crime-fighting efforts.
By allowing law enforcement agencies to focus on their core mission—without bureaucratic obstacles or political red tape—this administration is demonstrating that proactive policing and decisive action can produce swift and measurable outcomes. If this momentum continues, the United States may witness a broader crackdown on violent crime that extends well beyond these initial high-profile arrests.
