GOP DA claps back at bad plea deal accusation

Orange County, California District Attorney Todd Spitzer has clarified that there was no “plea deal” made in the case of an illegal immigrant convicted of manslaughter in the tragic deaths of two teenagers. The man, Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, was involved in a high-speed crash on the 405 freeway in Orange County in November 2021, resulting in the deaths of 19-year-olds Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin.

Ortega-Anguiano was convicted of two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in the spring of 2022. Despite objections from Orange County prosecutors who argued for the maximum sentence, he was sentenced to a 10-year prison term. However, to the dismay of the victims’ families, he was set to be released early on July 19, more than six years before completing his sentence.

Following scrutiny and backlash over Ortega-Anguiano’s impending release, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced that they would comply with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer and transfer him into federal custody. The Department of Justice also revealed that they would be filing federal charges against him, with the intention of keeping him in custody.

In response to criticism from District Attorney Spitzer, Governor Newsom’s office clarified that it was the Orange County District Attorney’s office that dropped certain charges and enhancements. The early release may have been a result of California’s credit system for inmates participating in rehabilitative programs.

U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws and prosecuting individuals like Ortega-Anguiano. He highlighted the shift towards stricter border policies and vowed to ensure that the defendant faces justice and serves a significant prison sentence before being deported.

The case of Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano has sparked debate over California’s criminal justice system, the handling of illegal immigrants, and the need for accountability in cases of serious crimes. The efforts to secure federal prosecution and prevent his early release demonstrate a commitment to holding individuals responsible for their actions and seeking justice for the victims and their families.