The man arrested for allegedly using a sledgehammer to behead a Marine figure on an Iwo Jima monument near Quantico, Virginia, is a Mexican illegal alien and former Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient who lost his status this year, federal sources told Fox News.

Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, was charged with felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument.

"This criminal illegal alien’s dream is over: Maldonado Soriano disrespected our brave service members and defaced a beautiful monument that honored their sacrifice," White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement to Fox News. "President Trump has secured our border and is deporting illegal criminals who hate our country and our values. The socialist Democrats want to go back to open borders and flood our communities with dangerous criminal illegal aliens."

According to federal sources, Maldonado Soriano illegally crossed into the U.S. in December 1999. He was granted DACA by the Obama administration in 2014. It was recently extended by the Biden administration in 2024. Maldonado Soriano then lost his DACA status in August 2026 because it was not renewed by the Trump administration. 

MASKED MAN CAUGHT ON CAMERA SMASHING VIRGIN MARY STATUE WITH A HAMMER OUTSIDE NYC CHURCH

Officers with the Prince William County Police Department first responded to the incident at about 10:13 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Maldonado Soriano was allegedly striking the monument with a sledgehammer when officers arrived.

Authorities said Maldonado Soriano was arrested after officers discovered extensive damage to the limestone sculpture, which commemorates one of the most recognizable moments in American military history.

WOMAN ACCUSED OF DEFACING WWII MEMORIAL WITH SPRAY PAINT INDICTED BY FEDERAL GRAND JURY

The damage included the complete removal of one Marine's head, along with damage to other figures depicted raising the American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II, according to authorities.

Images of the damaged monument show the figure farthest to the right missing its head, while another Marine has visible gouges across his helmet and face, police told Fox News Digital.

A third figure sustained damage to a bayonet attached to a gun slung over his back. Police estimated the damage would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair.

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The damaged statue is a 9-foot limestone depiction of the iconic World War II flag-raising on Mount Suribachi during the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima.

EXCLUSIVE: NEW AMERICA 250 MONUMENT LETS FAMILIES FIND MILITARY RELATIVES IN SECONDS: 'I HAD TEARS IN MY EYES'

It was sculpted by Felix de Weldon, who later created the massive bronze Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

The smaller monument stands near the entrance to Marine Corps Base Quantico near the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Quantico, a major Marine Corps installation in northern Virginia, has served as a center for military training and education for generations.

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In 2001, portions of the installation were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Quantico Marine Corps Base Historic District, encompassing 122 buildings, two landscapes, a sculpture and a water tower.

Maldonado Soriano is being held without bond, and a court date has not yet been announced.

A Virginia man was arrested after allegedly using a sledgehammer to knock the head off a Marine figure depicted in an Iwo Jima statue near Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to the historic military monument, police said.

Officers with the Prince William County Police Department responded at about 10:13 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, to reports of vandalism at the statue near Richmond Highway and Fuller Road in Quantico, Virginia.

Police identified the suspect as Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, of Stafford, Virginia, who was allegedly striking the monument with a sledgehammer when officers arrived.

MASKED MAN CAUGHT ON CAMERA SMASHING VIRGIN MARY STATUE WITH A HAMMER OUTSIDE NYC CHURCH

Authorities said Maldonado Soriano was detained and arrested after officers discovered extensive damage to the limestone sculpture, which commemorates one of the most recognizable moments in American military history.

The damage included the complete removal of one Marine's head, along with damage to other figures depicted raising the American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II, according to authorities.

Images of the damaged monument show the figure farthest to the right missing its head, while another Marine has visible gouges across his helmet and face, police told Fox News Digital.

A third figure sustained damage to a bayonet attached to a gun slung over his back. Police estimated the damage would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair.

WOMAN ACCUSED OF DEFACING WWII MEMORIAL WITH SPRAY PAINT INDICTED BY FEDERAL GRAND JURY

Maldonado Soriano faces charges of felony destruction of property, trespassing with intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument.

He is being held without bond, and a court date has not yet been announced.

Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the alleged attack or indicated whether the monument can be repaired.

The damaged statue is a 9-foot limestone depiction of the iconic World War II flag-raising on Mount Suribachi during the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima.

EXCLUSIVE: NEW AMERICA 250 MONUMENT LETS FAMILIES FIND MILITARY RELATIVES IN SECONDS: 'I HAD TEARS IN MY EYES'

It was sculpted by Felix de Weldon, who later created the massive bronze Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

The smaller monument stands near the entrance to Marine Corps Base Quantico near the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Quantico, a major Marine Corps installation in northern Virginia, has served as a center for military training and education for generations.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

In 2001, portions of the installation were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Quantico Marine Corps Base Historic District, encompassing 122 buildings, two landscapes, a sculpture and a water tower.

A trove of ancient coins has been unearthed at a construction site in Germany — after remaining hidden for more than 2,000 years.

The discovery, made at Singer Berg in the central German state of Thuringia, was announced recently by the Thuringian State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology (TLDA). 

In a translated news release, officials said excavation director Ronny Krause discovered the coins while archaeologists were investigating a former sports field ahead of the construction of a new fire station.

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Archaeologists conducted follow-up excavations at the site in August 2026 — and confirmed that the 11 coins dated back to the first century B.C.

The hoard represented the largest known Celtic coin hoard from that period ever found in Thuringia.

The 11 coins, dating back to the first century B.C., were identified as a type of ancient Celtic currency known as Prague-type quinarii.

"Until now, only about 80 examples of these quinarii had been identified throughout Thuringia, underscoring the significance of the Singen hoard," the translated statement said.

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"The mint responsible for producing the coins is believed to have been located in the Gotha region, to the northwest."

The Celts were groups of ancient people who lived across much of Europe during the Iron Age, with Celtic languages and traditions surviving today in places such as Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The coins were originally buried together in a container made of organic material that has since decomposed, archaeologists believe. The coins were found scattered across an area measuring roughly 19 feet by 5 feet — likely a result of plowing.

Officials described the discovery as a "closed find," suggesting that all the coins originally buried together were recovered.

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While just 11 coins may seem like a modest haul to some, archaeologists consider the discovery a treasure trove of information about the ancient world.

"Through the ongoing mapping of discoveries from the same period and cultural background, researchers can draw conclusions about ancient trade routes and production centers," the translated statement added.

"The Singen treasure hoard has significantly expanded our existing knowledge in this area."

Archaeologists also found an ancient Roman coin and a medieval glass bead — as well as a knife fragment, another silver coin and a Prussian uniform button from the 19th or 20th century.

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Officials also emphasized the broader significance of the discovery and the importance of proper archaeological practices.

"This once again demonstrates the importance of preserving the archaeological context of discoveries, in contrast to isolated metal finds recovered, for example, through improper or illegal metal detecting without documentation of their original locations," the statement concluded.

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Metal detectorists have made headlines for uncovering other ancient treasures across Europe.

Recently, a man using a metal detector in a German field discovered 934 ancient Roman silver coins dating back nearly 2,000 years.

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In Finland, a metal detectorist recently uncovered a massive Viking Age silver hoard containing an estimated 4,000 coins, along with jewelry and other artifacts.

A tourist was killed in a freak accident while visiting an architectural landmark designed by one of America's greatest architects last week, according to authorities.

Rogério Renato Mateucci, 55, was killed around 2 p.m. on Friday when strong winds blew a piece of roofing material off a roof — striking him in the head.

Mateucci, the rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná in Brazil, had been touring Taliesin West, a historic architectural landmark designed by famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

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Taliesin West was built in 1937. It is now closed to the public, according to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation's website.

Joe Spector, CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, told Fox News Digital he was extending his "deepest condolences" to Mateucci's family and loved ones.

"The Scottsdale Police Department is aware of the incident, and no further details will be shared out of respect for privacy and to allow officials to complete their work," said Spector. 

"The property is closed to the public until further notice."

MASSIVE BISON RAMS PICKUP TRUCK IN YELLOWSTONE AFTER DRIVER TRIES TO AVOID COLLISION

A spokesperson for the Scottsdale Police Department confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital.

"The man was reportedly killed instantly and was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders," police said.

"He had been on a walking tour of the property with other people when the accident occurred."

The official added, "Detectives and crime scene personnel responded to investigate, but no foul play is suspected in this weather-related accident."

YELLOWSTONE OFFICIALS DECIDE FATE OF BISON THAT LAUNCHED GRANDFATHER 8 FEET IN AIR

In an Instagram post, the university announced Mateucci's death with "profound sadness."

The school canceled classes at three of its campuses on Oct. 17 and 19 and suspended administrative operations on Oct. 19 as it mourned his passing.

Vidal Martins, vice rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, told FOX 10 Phoenix that strong winds blew a piece of clear roofing material into their path, striking Brother Rogério in the head.

Mateucci was reportedly eager to visit the property, given his interest in art.

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"He loved the arts and architecture," Martins said.

Martins called the incident "deeply, deeply sad."

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"It’s hard to understand, it’s hard to accept," he said.

Martins also said Mateucci had a lasting impact on the community through his efforts to improve the lives of those around him, per FOX 10.

"He was a very kind person, someone that takes care of everybody. He was a religious man," he said.

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Frank Lloyd Wright, who lived from 1867 to 1959, is widely regarded as one of the most influential architects in American history.

His most notable works include Fallingwater in Pennsylvania and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City.

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Taliesin West served as his winter home and architectural studio.

A historic building in the French town of Limoges, about three hours south of Paris, has been "largely lost" after it was set on fire by rioters as demonstrations continue across France.

The Limoges Town Hall was built in 1883, and was made a historic landmark in 1975.

"The roof has collapsed onto lower floors, except the west wing, and two-thirds of the exterior has already disappeared," the local prefect, Maurice Barate, told the AFP news agency.

MASSIVE FIRE DESTROYS 400-YEAR-OLD FOOD MARKET, LEAVING HISTORIC LANDMARK IN RUINS

Barate called it "a deliberate act by hooligans," adding that it was a "catastrophe for heritage." 

The destruction came as far-left anti-government protests and violent clashes entered their fourth week in the European country over the cost of living.

On Saturday, outgoing President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media: "There is no place for violence in our republic."

FRANCE EXPLODES AGAIN AS STUDENTS RIOT OVER EDUCATION

"Those who have broken, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished," he added translated from French. "To the law enforcement forces, guarantors of the right to demonstrate, I express the support of the Nation. We will all stand united against the sowers of chaos, who seek only to bring down our institutions and prevent those who peacefully express their demands from doing so."

Macron leaves office in six months.

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Around 400 people were arrested on Saturday, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, as more than a half million people took part in more than 100 marches across the country.

Masked groups also attempted to break into city halls in Lille and Calais and a police station in Brest, the interior minister reported, along with violence in Rennes, Toulouse, Montpellier and Grenoble, among other cities.

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Nuñez blamed the unrest on "extremely violent, radical far-left groups."

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While many of the protests were without violence, many have descended into riots. Police used tear gas and water cannons on Saturday to disperse violent groups in Paris, where people wearing hoods and masks threw fireworks and other objects at officers in the Place de la République.