California’s early release of a convicted illegal immigrant drunk driver—who killed two teens—has prompted federal prosecutors to file immigration charges that could keep him behind bars far longer.
Key Facts:
- Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano killed two 19-year-olds, Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin, in a high-speed DUI crash in November 2021.
- He was convicted in 2022 of gross vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years but is set for early release on July 19 after serving only 3.5 years.
- Federal prosecutors have charged Ortega-Anguiano under 8 USC 1326, which could lead to up to 20 years in prison.
- ICE has issued a detainer, though California’s sanctuary policies may complicate enforcement.
- The victims’ families and federal officials have criticized California for releasing him early, calling it a failure of justice.
The Rest of The Story:
In November 2021, Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano caused a fatal car crash on the 405 freeway while intoxicated and speeding.
The crash claimed the lives of two teens, who burned to death trapped in their vehicle.
In 2022, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
However, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation recently informed the victims’ families that Ortega-Anguiano will be released early, having served just over a third of his sentence.
The decision sparked immediate outrage.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli responded by filing federal immigration charges against Ortega-Anguiano, citing a prior deportation record.
He now faces up to 20 more years in federal prison.
The Department of Justice, in coordination with ICE, intends to detain him upon his release, though sanctuary policies in California raise questions about whether the detainer will be honored.
Despite reassurances from CDCR about “credits for rehabilitative programming,” family members argue that the justice system is failing them.
They continue to appeal to state officials to reverse the decision.
My office has filed a felony immigration charge against this defendant. 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 @TheJusticeDept will. https://t.co/wTuQdun1as
— US Attorney Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) April 23, 2025
Commentary:
The early release of Ortega-Anguiano by the state of California is a shocking betrayal of public trust and a grave insult to the families who lost their children.
When the justice system promises 10 years for killing two young people, and then quietly cuts it down to 3.5 years, it sends a disturbing message—one that prioritizes ideology over accountability.
Tom Homan’s swift reaction reflects what many Americans feel: this should never have been allowed to happen.
His promise to take custody of Ortega-Anguiano, with or without California’s cooperation, is a necessary check on a system too willing to let violent offenders walk free under the banner of progressive criminal justice reform.
NOW – Tom Homan Just Vowed at ALL COSTS to Deport Illegal Alien Who Killed Two Teens—And Is About to Walk Free in California
He was drunk. He was high. He was flying down the 405 Freeway at 100 mph.
Two innocent teenagers never made it home. They burned alive in the wreckage.… pic.twitter.com/5wyqesxew5
— Overton (@overton_news) April 23, 2025
This case also shows why incarceration is sometimes more appropriate than deportation.
Ortega-Anguiano had been deported multiple times.
Each time he returned, and eventually took innocent lives.
Merely sending him out of the country again would likely end in the same tragic cycle.
A federal prison sentence would at least guarantee that he cannot re-offend on U.S. soil during that time.
The DOJ’s decision to pursue federal charges reflects a growing willingness to step in where state systems fall short.
It’s not ideal that it comes to this, but it’s necessary.
A just system doesn’t let killers off early and then hope they don’t come back.
For the families of Anya and Nicholay, this is about more than one man—it’s about restoring the dignity of justice.
Their grief was compounded by a system that seemed to forget their children the moment sentencing was over.
Holding Ortega-Anguiano in federal custody may not bring their kids back, but it at least affirms their lives mattered.
California’s decision may be final, but justice doesn’t stop at the state line.
The federal government still has a role to play, and in this case, it’s stepping up.
The Bottom Line:
California’s plan to release a convicted killer early has sparked a strong federal response aimed at preventing a repeat tragedy.
Federal prosecutors are pursuing serious immigration charges to keep Ortega-Anguiano in custody.
This move not only restores a sense of justice for grieving families but also underscores the importance of federal intervention when state policies fail to protect public safety.
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