The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division on Wednesday notified Fairfax County, Virginia, Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano of the investigation, which is looking into whether it has “engaged in unlawful discrimination in violation of Title VI and the Safe Streets Act.”
According to Fox News, Descano, who was elected in 2020, received over $600,000 from the George Soros-funded Justice and Public Safety PAC.
He’s faced criticism for being soft on crime – especially on crimes committed by illegal aliens – leading OFCA.
A letter sent by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who heads the division, cites an OFCA policy from 2020 that directs attorneys to “consider immigration consequences where possible” and “the collateral immigration consequences of the specific crime(s) the defendant is charged with[.]”
This @CivilRights is investigating Fairfax County for giving preferential plea deals to illegal aliens while discriminating against American citizens.
If true, this violates several federal laws—& DOJ will not allow state prosecutors to play favors based on immigration status.…
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) May 6, 2026
Dhillon added in a statement that the division “will not allow local prosecutors to pick and choose winners based on their immigration status.”
“This investigation will uncover whether this prosecutor is putting the community at risk in offering sweetheart deals to illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes,” she said.
In February, a repeat offender and illegal alien from Sierra Leone allegedly stabbed Stephanie Minter to death while she was waiting at a Fairfax county bus stop.
🚨NEW from DOJ: the Justice Department notified the Fairfax County, Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano of the initiation of a federal investigation into the Commonwealth’s Attorney Plea Bargaining, Charging Decisions, and Sentencing Policy.
The Justice Department’s… https://t.co/Ncpkpdi4xd pic.twitter.com/Mp17hQbO2J
— Nick Minock (@NickMinock) May 6, 2026
7News reported that local law enforcement had warned Descano’s office that the suspect, Abdul Jalloh, was dangerous, but numerous past charges against him had been dropped.
Minter’s mother, Cheryl, filed a complaint with the DOJ that led to the investigation, according to 7News.
“I think it’s horrid,” Cheryl told 7News about the OFCA policy. “It is preferential treatment, because anybody that is a U.S. citizen that has done these same crimes would be behind bars for a very long time, and they wouldn’t have any chance of getting out or having their sentence cut by three quarters.”
She continued.
“I think [Descano] needs to go,” Cheryl added. “Seriously, how can any of that be fair? I mean, I don’t see where fairness is top priority. I don’t see where he’s doing a whole lot of anything to help the citizens.”
Gene Hamilton, president of America First Legal, called the investigation “hugely important — and an issue present in jurisdictions across the country.”
“Our laws must put Americans first. Illegal aliens must never be treated more favorably than citizens,” he said.
This is hugely important — and an issue present in jurisdictions across the country.
Our laws must put Americans first. Illegal aliens must never be treated more favorably than citizens. https://t.co/DLFzTqwto3
— Gene Hamilton (@GeneHamilton) May 6, 2026
