U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an immigration detainer against a Sierra Leone national charged in the fatal stabbing of a woman at a Fairfax County bus stop, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Fairfax County Police charged Abdul Jalloh, 32, with murder after authorities say Stephanie Minter, 41, of Fredericksburg was found dead Feb. 23 with multiple stab wounds to her upper body. Jalloh was also charged with petit larceny related to an earlier incident that same day.
An immigration detainer requests that local authorities notify federal immigration officials before releasing a suspect from custody, allowing potential transfer to federal authorities.
🚨 New: DHS officials say the man who is charged with killing a woman at a Fairfax County bus stop is an illegal immigrant.
DHS is calling on Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger to ensure the Fairfax County Sheriff cooperates with ICE and hands over the man who has a lengthy… https://t.co/8f34jGhgG7
— Nick Minock (@NickMinock) February 28, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security said Jalloh entered the United States illegally in 2012. His criminal history includes more than 30 arrests on charges including rape, malicious wounding, assault, drug possession, identity theft, trespassing, larceny, firing a weapon and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Stephanie Minter was stabbed to death at a bus stop in Virginia allegedly by Abdul Jalloh who is in our country illegally.
He has a long criminal history with over THIRTY arrests and was let out of prison almost every time.
WE SHOULDN’T HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THIS pic.twitter.com/moIUV9LE0u
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 1, 2026
Police released a surveillance image of Jalloh and warned the public he should be considered dangerous. A local business owner contacted police Feb. 24 after recognizing him, leading to his arrest.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE previously lodged a detainer against Jalloh in 2020. An immigration judge later issued a final order of removal authorizing removal to a country other than Sierra Leone.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis called on Virginia officials to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
🚨 Fairfax County, VA: Illegal alien Abdul Jalloh has been arrested for the stabbing death of Stephanie Minter.
Fairfax County officials failed to work with ICE to remove Jalloh from the community despite his extensive violent criminal history. https://t.co/43q6KCeDsG pic.twitter.com/xndxwunK6b
— Illegal Alien Crimes (@ImmigrantCrimes) February 28, 2026
“We are calling on Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger and Virginia’s sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this murderer and violent career criminal from their jail without notifying ICE,” Bis said in a statement released by DHS.
Bis said the case highlights what she described as the importance of cooperation between local jurisdictions and federal immigration authorities.
“This heinous criminal is a perfect example of why we need cooperation from sanctuary jurisdictions and the importance of third country removals for the safety of the American people,” she said.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger previously signed an executive order ending a policy that required state and local law enforcement cooperation with ICE, repealing an order from former Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Fairfax County has faced criticism in prior cases over immigration detainers. In late 2025, a Salvadoran national charged in a separate homicide had previously been released from custody after a detainer was not honored, according to DHS.
The case was also referenced in social media posts from reporter Nick Minock and other commentators, citing the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement.
The investigation into Minter’s death remains ongoing.
