Illegal Alien Arrested After Sledgehammer Attack on Iwo Jima Monument Replica Near Quantico

Prince William County police arrested Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, Wednesday night after officers found him using a sledgehammer to damage a limestone replica of the Iwo Jima flag-raising monument near Marine Corps Base Quantico. Federal sources told Fox News he is a Mexican national who entered the United States illegally in December 1999, received DACA status in 2014, and lost that status in August 2026 after it was not renewed.

Officers responded around 10:13 p.m. on October 21 to a report of property destruction at the statue near Richmond Highway and Fuller Road. They located Maldonado Soriano actively striking the monument. The damage included the complete removal of one Marine figure’s head, which was found on the ground, along with additional destruction to other figures. Police estimate the cost of repairs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Maldonado Soriano was charged with felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage property, and felony injury to a monument. He is being held without bond pending a court date. Police have not released a motive.

According to the federal sources, he was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals by the Obama administration in 2014. The status was extended in subsequent years, most recently by the Biden administration in 2024, before it was not renewed this August. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement to Fox News: “This criminal illegal alien’s dream is over: Maldonado Soriano disrespected our brave service members and defaced a beautiful monument that honored their sacrifice.”

The damaged statue is a smaller limestone replica, sculpted by Felix de Weldon, of the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. It depicts the February 23, 1945, flag-raising on Iwo Jima captured by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. Marine Corps Base Quantico has described the piece as a non-heroic-size version of the larger Arlington memorial, which de Weldon also created. Repair experts have already been consulted; officials have described the work as likely to be challenging.

The monument stands near the entrance to Marine Corps Base Quantico and the National Museum of the Marine Corps. No additional suspects have been identified, and authorities have asked anyone with information to contact the Prince William County Police tip line.