Virginia Prosecutor Testifies on Sanctuary Policies After Deportation Comments and Murder Plea Deal

A Virginia prosecutor made comments in 2019 during a campaign stating that deporting one person but not another for the same crime is a perversion of justice and does not reflect local values. A report indicated that these comments appear on the prosecutor's campaign website from that time.

The prosecutor took office after winning the election on a platform that included reducing some criminal penalties and cash bail.

Republican lawmakers have criticized the prosecutor for these statements. They stated that such policies are associated with lawlessness. Republicans should hold prosecutors accountable for plea agreements involving individuals who entered the country illegally.

The House Republicans have scheduled a hearing titled on sanctuary policies.

In a separate case, two men pleaded guilty this month to a 2024 killing of a local resident. The prosecutor's office approved a plea deal resulting in five-year prison sentences for both men. The victim's body was found in a creek the next morning, with no DNA, physical evidence, or murder weapon recovered at the scene.

The prosecutor's office stated that the plea deal was the only way to ensure the defendants' incarceration for the murder. All witnesses in the case were reported as terrified to come forward or assist with prosecution. Lawmakers described the plea deal as a sweetheart deal and stated that it shows a lack of concern for family and public safety.

Regarding the 2019 deportation comments, the prosecutor's office said the webpage was removed because it was being misconstrued and misinterpreted. The office's current policy, as stated on its website, supports diversion from jail for nonviolent offenders, uses data to address disparities and achieve better outcomes, and emphasizes victim-centered prosecution.

The hearing will examine the effects of sanctuary policies in the area, where the prosecutor serves as the top prosecutor.