Justice Department Investigates Fairfax County Prosecutor Steve Descano Over Immigration Policies

The Justice Department launched an investigation into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano after notifying him on Wednesday that it is examining potential civil rights violations tied to his office’s plea bargaining, charging decisions and sentencing policies.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the probe centers on whether Descano engaged in unlawful discrimination in violation of Title VI and the Safe Streets Act. Dhillon added that investigators will uncover whether the prosecutor is putting the community at risk in offering sweetheart deals to illegal immigrants charged with serious crimes.

“Under my leadership, the Civil Rights Division will not allow local prosecutors to pick and choose winners based on their immigration status,” Dhillon stated. The DOJ is also examining whether Descano’s office is engaged in a pattern or practice of law enforcement misconduct that deprives persons of rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.

The investigation focuses on policies that instruct prosecutors to “consider immigration consequences where possible” and “consider … the collateral immigration consequences of the specific crime(s) the defendant is charged with” during plea bargaining, charging and sentencing.

Steve Descano implemented the policy after his 2019 election. ” The line on Steve Descano’s campaign website was later deleted. Steve Descano, who received more than $700,000 in campaign contributions from groups funded by George Soros, has drawn scrutiny over sentences handed down last month.