FBI Director Kash Patel also told lawmakers that the bureau’s mission cannot continue without their investment and support.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has captured three of the “Top 10 Most Wanted” fugitives in the world since President Donald Trump took office in January, FBI Director Kash Patel said on Wednesday.
“Three in less than three months,” Patel stressed during opening remarks before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday.
Patel highlighted the major arrests as House lawmakers reviewed the proposed 2026 budget for the bureau.
The FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list was first established in March 1950 as a partnership with the news media. The FBI at the time acknowledged the need for the public’s assistance in tracking fugitives. The list was designed to publicize dangerous fugitives who might not otherwise receive any nationwide attention. According to the agency, 163 of the fugitives on the list have been captured or located as a result of citizen recognition.
The three fugitives captured by the FBI include an accused child rapist, an alleged murderer, and a senior leader of MS-13.
On Jan. 25, 2025, Donald Eugene Fields II was taken into custody following a routine police traffic stop in Florida. The fugitive was wanted on federal child sex trafficking charges and state charges of child rape. A warrant for his arrest was issued after he left his home and failed to show up for a court hearing in March 2022. Fields was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in May 2023.
On Jan. 30, 2025, Arnoldo Jimenez was caught by FBI agents in Monterrey, Mexico. Jimenez was wanted on first-degree murder charges in connection to the 2012 death of Estrella Carrera, who was found dead in her bathtub less than 48 hours after getting married. A state warrant was issued for his arrest after he was charged in the case. Later, a federal arrest warrant was issued after Jimenez was federally charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
On March 18, the FBI apprehended Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales. The alleged senior leader of the MS-13 gang was extradited from Mexico to face charges in the United States. Roman-Bardales was wanted for his alleged role in ordering violent acts against rival gang members and civilians. He was also allegedly involved in distribution and extortion schemes in the U.S. and El Salvador.
“The mission is a no-fail mission,” Patel said on Wednesday about FBI operations to track down fugitives and keep the country safe. “Because if we fail, then American lives will be endangered or lost.”
Patel told House appropriators on Wednesday that the bureau’s mission cannot continue without their investment and support, adding it needs funds for its nationwide operations and field offices across the country and to implement Trump’s agenda to aggressively crack down on criminal activity.
Patel said he plans to send 1,000 agents currently in the D.C. area into field offices across the country.
House Appropriations Democrats during the hearing pressed Patel on the fiscal year 2026 budget proposed by the Trump administration.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) suggested that Patel seemed to admit that the budget requested by the administration is not enough to meet the needs of the agency, noting its nearly half-billion dollar cut. She asked Patel what positions he’s looking to cut under the proposed budget.
Patel said he’s working through the appropriations process to explain why the agency needs more funds than what was proposed.
“That’s the proposed budget, not by the FBI,” Patel said. “The proposed budget that I put forward is to cover us for $11.1 billion, which would not have us cut any positions.
Without the funds, Patel said, the FBI “risks making tradeoffs that jeopardize the safety of Americans.”
The FBI director maintained that the agency’s accomplishments since Trump took office, including the capture of three most wanted fugitives, are a testament to the FBI’s commitment to its mission in protecting the homeland.
From NTD News