DOJ Launches Civil Rights Investigation Into Fairfax County Prosecutor’s Charging and Plea Policies

The Department of Justice opened a "pattern or practice" civil rights investigation into Fairfax County, Virginia, Commonwealth's Attorney Descano last week. The inquiry is examining whether Descano’s office violated federal law by weighing immigration consequences in charging decisions and plea deals.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said last week that the investigation would zero in on Descano's plea bargaining, charging decisions and sentencing policies.

The probe comes amid an ongoing spate of violent crime in Fairfax County involving illegal immigrants. It was launched at the request of the Victim Rights Reform Council on behalf of Cheryl Minter. Jennifer Harrison, head of the Victim Rights Reform Council, filed the complaint that initiated the investigation.

Stephanie Minter was fatally stabbed at a bus stop earlier this year in Fairfax County, Virginia. Abdul Jalloh, a 32-year-old illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone, is the alleged perpetrator. In a press release following Minter’s death, the Department of Homeland Security claimed that Descano’s office had been warned about Jalloh and the danger he posed to the public ahead of Minter’s death.

Descano, whose entry into political office was propelled by a $627,653 donation from the Soros family's Justice and Public Safety PAC, is set to testify before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement on Thursday. County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid will testify before the same subcommittee on Thursday.

Former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, will testify before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement on Thursday. Virginians for Safe Communities President Sean Kennedy will testify before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement on Thursday.

Responding to Descano’s claim about the origins of the probe, Jennifer Harrison wrote on X: "Hey scumbag - Cheryl Minter, mother of Stephanie filed the complaint that initiated the investigation.

Fox News Digital reached out to Descano’s office, the DOJ, and the White House for comment. Fox News reported all details of the investigation, the underlying crime, the scheduled congressional testimony and the financial support that aided Descano’s entry into office.