The individual taken into custody for reportedly using a sledgehammer to behead a Marine sculpture on an Iwo Jima monument near Quantico, Virginia, is a 27-year-old Mexican national, who was previously a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient but lost that status this year, according to federal sources.
Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano has been charged with felony destruction of property, trespassing with intent to damage property, and felony injury to a monument.
In a statement, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers expressed strong disapproval, saying, “This criminal illegal alien’s dream is over: Maldonado Soriano disrespected our brave service members and defaced a beautiful monument that honored their sacrifice.” She further criticized the Democratic Party for their stance on immigration, suggesting they desire to return to open borders and allow more undocumented immigrants into the community.
Federal sources shared that Maldonado Soriano entered the U.S. illegally back in December 1999. He received DACA protection from the Obama administration in 2014, which was later extended by the Biden administration until 2024. However, he lost his DACA status in August 2026, as it wasn’t renewed during the Trump administration.
The vandalism incident was reported around 10:13 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, when officers from the Prince William County Police Department arrived to find Maldonado Soriano allegedly striking the monument with a sledgehammer.
Upon inspection, the police uncovered significant damage to the limestone sculpture, which honors one of the most famous moments from American military history. The destruction included a Marine figure missing its head, alongside damage to other figures depicted in the iconic flag-raising scene from the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.
Images show one Marine figure completely decapitated, while another bears noticeable gouges on its helmet and face. The third figure sustained damage to a bayonet attached to its weapon. Law enforcement estimates the repair costs could reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The damaged statue stands at nine feet tall and represents the historical flag-raising on Mount Suribachi during the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima. It was created by sculptor Felix de Weldon, who also designed the large Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. This smaller monument is located near the entrance to the Marine Corps Base Quantico, close to the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Quantico, a significant Marine Corps installation in northern Virginia, has been a hub for military training and education for many years. In 2001, parts of the base were added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Quantico Marine Corps Base Historic District, which includes 122 buildings and other notable features.
Currently, Maldonado Soriano is being held without bond, and a court date has yet to be set.
