A twice-deported illegal alien who killed two Americans in a 2021 car crash in California is scheduled to be released from prison after serving less than half of his sentence.
Amid a widespread backlash, California’s Democratic governor said he would help the federal government pursue felony charges against 43-year-old Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, the New York Post reported.
Ortega-Anguiano, a Mexican national, is set to be released on July 19 after spending about three-and-a-half years in prison following his conviction on two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter for a fiery November 2021 wreck that killed 19-year-old Anya Varfolomeev and her 19-year-old boyfriend, Nicholay Osokin.
“Twice deported illegal alien from Mexico, Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, is serving time after being convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, which resulted in the deaths of an American couple,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a post to X. “His previous criminal convictions include burglary in 2005, vehicle theft in 2007, and battery on a spouse with kidnapping in 2014.”
Twice deported illegal alien from Mexico, Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, is serving time after being convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, which resulted in the deaths of an American couple.
His previous criminal convictions include burglary in 2005,… pic.twitter.com/QSTcABpraQ
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) April 23, 2025
According to Newsweek, Ortega-Anguiano was driving drunk at around 100 mph on the 405 freeway when he crashed into a car carrying Varfolomeev and Osokin. The car burst into flames, and the teens were burned alive.
“It’s disgusting,” Anya’s father, Anatoly Varfolomeev, told Fox News Channel. “You have two young, unbelievable future, productive American citizens killed for nothing and that illegal immigrant who already has been deported twice is going to be released again? For what? If even he is deported, he will come back.”
Ortega-Anguiano was given two 10-year sentences, which were to run concurrently. However, California prisons planned to release Ortega-Anguiano early.
“This is absolutely unconscionable,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post to X. “What about Justice for these teens? What about the rights of their parents?”
Amid concerns that Ortega-Anguiano could end back up on the streets because of The Golden State’s lax sanctuary policies, Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom has agreed to help the feds pursue federal charges by complying with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer. ICE placed the detainer on Ortega-Anguiano in June 2022.
“My office has filed a felony immigration charge against this defendant,” Bilal Essayli, the US attorney for the Central District of California, said in a post to X following a Fox News Channel report. “He faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted for 8 USC 1326. If the State of California will not seek the full measure of justice against this individual, the [Justice Department will.”
Newsom’s office attempted to deflect, trying to blame a Republican district attorney for giving Ortega-Anguiano a sweetheart plea deal.
“After being deported in 2013, this individual unlawfully re-entered the US & committed heinous crimes,” Newsom’s press office responded on X. “A GOP DA then gave him a plea deal instead of pursuing 2nd-degree murder.”
After being deported in 2013, this individual unlawfully re-entered the US & committed heinous crimes.
A GOP DA then gave him a plea deal instead of pursuing 2nd-degree murder.
CDCR will again coordinate with ICE—as they have w/ 10,000+ inmates—to transfer him before release. https://t.co/ROYJJKoOV8
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) April 23, 2025
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation “will again coordinate with ICE—as they have w/ 10,000+ inmates—to transfer him before release,” the office added.
However, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer clapped back, saying Ortega-Anguiano did not receive a plea deal but was given a light sentence by a California judge.
“This was not a plea deal,” Spitzer, a Republican, said in a statement, according to NBC 4 Los Angeles. “This was a defendant who pled to the Court and was sentenced by a judge under California law, over the objection of Orange County prosecutors, who unsuccessfully argued for the maximum sentence.
“It is another stab to the heart of victims across California by Governor Newsom and a state Legislature who are hell-bent on releasing as many criminals as possible without any accountability and without any punishment,” Spitzer added.
Despite the hullabaloo, it is not entirely clear why authorities are releasing Ortega-Anguiano so early.
“CDCR confirms Ortega Anguiano received 334 days of pre-sentence credits for time served,” NBC 4 Los Angeles reported. “While it could not provide further details, it says incarcerated persons may earn credits for participating in rehabilitative programming, which may move their parole eligibility dates to an earlier date.”
