iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

People all over the world who watched this trial saw that Juliana’s testimony was invaluable in helping the jury understand the convoluted double-murder plot orchestrated by Brendan Banfield. No prison sentence can address the harm created by her actions. (1/3)

STATEMENT FROM CA DESCANO ON JULIANA PERES MAGALHAES’ SENTENCE
Banfield au pair sentenced for her role in the double-murder plot

Fairfax, VA – Today, Juliana Peres Magalhaes, 25, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting and killing Joseph Ryan, 39, on February 24, 2023. Magalhaes was an au pair for Brendan and Christine Banfield in Reston, Virginia, at the time of the murder, and she and Brendan, who had begun a romantic affair, hatched an elaborate plot to kill Christine. Together, Magalhaes and Brendan Banfield lured Joe, a stranger, to the house and staged a situation to make it appear as though Joe was an intruder who had killed Christine.
Magalhaes pled guilty to manslaughter on October 29, 2024, in exchange for her cooperation with the prosecution at Brendan Banfield’s trial. Magalhaes is a Brazilian national and will be deported at the conclusion of her sentence.
Brendan Banfield, 40, was convicted by a jury of two counts of aggravated murder, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and child endangerment. His sentencing hearing is set for May 8, 2026, where he faces a mandatory life sentence.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Red flag laws are the only proactive tool prosecutors have to build public safety & potentially prevent a tragedy before it happens. By removing barriers to individuals getting the help they need, we keep our communities safer. virginiaindependentnews.com/politics/ass...

virginiaindependentnews.com

Virginia lawmakers consider bill to revise petitioner provision of red flag law

The bill would allow family members and medical providers to request emergency orders to temporarily confiscate firearms.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

I am extremely proud that we let the evidence speak for itself—and that the community knows with certainty who is responsible for the deaths of Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Prosecuting federal agents can be a difficult process. I know that first-hand. But it’s our obligation to hold them accountable. Hey, federal officials: If you breach state law, you have to answer to state authorities. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...

politico.com

Minnesota prosecutors face uphill battle if they charge feds in fatal shootings

Virginia attempted to prosecute federal officers who killed a man in 2017. It didn’t work.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

The federal government thinks they’re above the law. Enough. Today, we’re founding the Project for the Fight Against Federal Overreach (FAFO) to hold federal officials accountable for abuse of power.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Nelson Alexander didn’t know the defendant, he didn’t do anything wrong, and he was just going about his day as usual. This needless, senseless violence that stole a husband and father from his family is beyond tragic. (1/2)

COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY STEVE DESCANO ANNOUNCES
CONVICTION FOR 2021 ATM ROBBERY MURDER OF NELSON ALEXANDER

Fairfax County, VA — Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced today that Winston Nathaniel Lark IV, 20, was convicted by a jury of first-degree felony murder and use of a firearm in commission of murder for killing Nelson Alexander, 73, in the Falls Church ATM robbery in 2021.
In the early morning of October 20, 2021, Nelson Alexander, of Falls Church, went to a Wells Fargo ATM on Annandale Road before going to work. Lark, of Washington D.C., and his half-brother Timothy Bradshaw Robinson, 22, of Falls Church, had stolen a Nissan Murano SUV and were looking for other opportunities for theft. They saw Mr. Alexander at the ATM attempting to withdraw cash. Lark got out of the car and confronted Mr. Alexander at gunpoint, attempting to rob him. Mr. Alexander resisted, and Lark fired two shots with his .38 caliber special Colt revolver, hitting Mr. Alexander once in the chest, before getting back into the car driven by Bradshaw Robinson and fleeing the scene. Mr. Alexander was found by two citizens and was taken to the hospital where he eventually succumbed to his injuries.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

🚨 Milestone alert 🚨 We're about to cross 400 Red Flag cases handled—with this update, we're officially at 399. This number leads the Commonwealth, and it's a testament to the work we've done to take advantage of this proven way to proactively prevent gun violence.

Red flag data dashboard update: December 2025

“Many instances of gun violence are preceded by cowardice, observable warning behaviors—red flags—indicating that an individual’s access to firearms made them a danger to themselves or to you.

With red flag laws, we can stop these potential tragedies before they happen. Every month, we update our public data dashboard so that you can see how these laws are being used to prevent gun violence in your community.”

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

2025 was another year of making Fairfax County a safer place to live—these are our office’s top 10 highlights and achievements. See you in 2026!

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

For someone who loved life as much as Cara did, this is maybe the most cruel ending imaginable. Today, her murderer was held accountable. Nothing can bring Cara back, but to her family and friends: I hope this allows you to begin to heal.

Fairfax County, VA — Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced today that Rami El-Sayed was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder for killing his girlfriend, Cara Abbruscato, on September 24, 2023, and hiding her body before fleeing to New Jersey. El-Sayed was also convicted on an additional charge of concealing Ms. Abbruscato’s body.

Prosecutors showed at trial that El-Sayed, 36, and Ms. Abbruscato, 40, were camping together in a tent in Burke Lake Park. El-Sayed stabbed Ms. Abbruscato 17 times with a knife, including six times in her neck, killing her, while receiving scratches on his face. El-Sayed then attempted to conceal her body by placing Ms. Abbruscato fully inside the tent and zipping it up. El-Sayed then drove Ms. Abbruscato’s car to his hometown of Patterson, New Jersey. Campers found Ms. Abbruscato’s body on September 30, 2023, after noticing a foul smell coming from the tent. El-Sayed was arrested in New Jersey on October 2, 2023, and extradited to Fairfax County on November 9, 2023.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Some cases we've prosecuted recently include: - A 52 y/o for strangling their wife and preventing her from calling 911 after an argument - A 46 y/o for killing someone as part of a mob

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Reposted by Fairfax DA Steve Descano

Prosecutors Alliance @prosalliance.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

We brought survivors and prosecutors together to learn how the criminal legal system can do better in supporting the needs and healing of victims of crime. Survivors are too often spoken for. This discussion flipped the script. Survivors led the conversation. Prosecutors showed up to listen.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

My biggest priority is your safety. Below, you can see a snapshot of the work we do to protect you, your family, and our larger Fairfax community.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

CA Descano’s report on the April 29, 2025 officer-involved shooting.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Below, you can see a snapshot of some of the work we’ve done recently to protect you, your family, and our larger Fairfax community.

What we’re doing for you
A Snapshot from CA Steve Descano

Protecting our community from theft & fraud
Prosecuting crimes like embezzlement, theft, and property loss
we prosecuted:
A 27 y/o for stealing over $2,000 worth of Gucci items from a TJMaxx and then ramming two police cars while fleeing
A 52 y/o for scamming an elderly person out of $6,000 by performing fake pest control work and then driving them to a bank to withdraw cash

Securing justice for victims of violent crimes
Prosecuting crimes like assault, shootings, and stabbings
we prosecuted:
A 24 y/o for meeting a woman at a hotel and robbing her at gunpoint before sexually assaulting her and shooting her
A 34 y/o for stabbing their girlfriend in the chest

Keeping our roads safe for drivers
Prosecuting crimes like DWIS, reckless driving, and hit-and-runs
we prosecuted:
A 27 y/o for a hit-and-run that killed a pedestrian
A 24 y/o for crashing their vehicle while intoxicated resulting in the death of their passenger
A 35 y/o for attempting to escape a trooper while going 100mph in a 55mph zone

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

My heart breaks for the victim’s family. His parents deserved the chance to see him graduate high school and pursue his dreams. He had his whole life ahead of him, and I hope that this conviction allows everyone who knew him to continue healing from this terrible loss.

On March 20, 2024, Cruz Delcid, 20, of Herndon, was sitting in his car in a parking lot on Coppermine Road when he saw two teenage acquaintances, one of them MM, 14, and gestured them over. As MM approached the vehicle, Cruz Delcid put a loaded firearm in his waistband and exited his vehicle. The three had a conversation, which escalated, and after separating himself from the two teens, Cruz Delcid fired three shots, two of which struck MM in the neck and chest. Cruz Delcid immediately fled into the nearby woods, where he disposed of the firearm and his clothing, before taking the Metro and an Uber to his girlfriend’s residence and smashing his phone to avoid being tracked. He turned himself into FCPD the next day.
In June 2025, the case resulted in a mistrial due a hung jury.
“My heart breaks for the victim’s family,” said CA Descano. “His parents deserved the chance to see him graduate high school and pursue his dreams. He had his whole life ahead of him, and I hope that this conviction allows everyone who knew him to continue healing from this terrible loss.”
Cruz Delcid’s sentencing date is January 9, 2026. He faces up to 10 years in prison for the manslaughter charge.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Marilyn Sommer’s long life ended in her own home, at the hands of her own husband. This is a tragic outcome for the whole Sommer family.

On February 28, 2025, Douglas Sommer, 89, of Chantilly, took his .32 caliber FN Herstal 1922 pistol and went into the den area of his home where his wife, Marilyn Sommer, 87, was sleeping in their recliner chair. Sommer pointed the firearm at close range where Mrs. Sommer was sleeping and pulled the trigger five times, hitting Mrs. Sommer multiple times in her head and chest. Both Sommer and their daughter, who was in a different room of the house, called 911. When Fairfax County first responders arrived, Sommer calmly stated that he killed his wife and showed them where the gun was located on their couch, before he was taken into custody. Their daughter had been at the family home that day to help her parents move into an assisted-living facility; she later told police that her father did not want to move.

Sommer’s sentencing date is January 9, 2026. He faces up to 10 years in prison for the manslaughter charge, and up to 5 years for the firearm charge.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

This is the type of scenario that usually only exists in our nightmares, and certainly not in Fairfax County. Our police deserve full credit for never giving up on this cold case—and after nearly 30 long years, the victim of this horrific act is finally receiving the closure she deserves.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Below, you can see a snapshot of some of the work we’ve done recently to protect you, your family, and our larger Fairfax community.

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What we’re doing for you
A snapshot from CA Steve Descano

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Protecting our community from theft and fraud
Prosecuting crimes like embezzlement, theft, and property loss
We prosecuted:
- a 34 y/o for attempting my to steal a minor’s phone and watch
- a 55 y/o for stealing over $47,000 worth of jewelry from someone they used to work for as a housekeeper

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Securing justice for victims of violent crimes
Prosecuting crimes like assault, shootings, and stabbings
We prosecuted:
- a 19 y/o for using a gun to rob someone they knew from school
- a 37 y/o for shooting at a stranger’s car on the highway after a short verbal exchange

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Tackling the exploitation & abuse of children
Prosecuting crimes like child sexual abuse material possession
We prosecuted:
- An 18 y/o for sexually assaulting their 4 year old cousin
- a 24 y/o for taking photos of the intimate parts of the 2 year old they were nannying and sharing them online

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

CA Descano’s report on the April 23, 2025 officer-involved shooting.

REPORT ON APRIL 23, 2025, OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING1
On April 23, 2025, Fairfax County Police Department (“FCPD”) Officer David Antal
was conducting routine traffic enforcement on Majestic Lane in the Fair Oaks section of
Fairfax, Virginia. At 2:35pm, he conducted a traffic stop on Mr. Jamal Wali for an expired
inspection sticker. When Officer Antal activated his lights and sirens, Mr. Wali abruptly
stopped his car in the right lane of Majestic Lane.
Officer Antal approached Mr. Wali’s car in full police uniform equipped with body-
worn camera and made contact with Mr. Wali. Officer Antal took a position next to Mr.
Wali’s driver-side window and did not leave that position until Mr. Wali opened fire a few
moments later. Mr. Wali stated that he had a firearm and refused to provide Officer Antal
with identifying documents or information. Mr. Wali was armed with a firearm holstered on
his right hip and two additional magazines in a gun belt on his left hip. Mr. Wali became
verbally aggressive with Officer Antal, who quickly called on his radio for a supervisor to
come to the scene. Officer Antal stated on his radio that Mr. Wali was armed and refusing
to provide identification and that Mr. Wali kept reaching towards his firearm.
During the entirety of Officer Antal and Mr. Wali’s one-on-one conversation, which
lasted approximately four minutes and forty-five seconds, Mr. Wali used confrontational
and aggressive language with Officer Antal. Mr. Wali continually expressed frustration and
anger with his current life circumstances and his treatment by the United States. Multiple
times he made comments about his feeling that he was “dying” and “being killed,” expressly
stating at approximately one minute and fifty-four seconds into the conversation, “Why are
you fucking trying to kill me? . . . I’m already dying.” Mr. Wali also multiple times directed
Officer Antal to not reach for his weapon, stating at approximately two minutes and six
seconds into the conversation, “I’m …

Officer Antal’s earlier radio call. They arrived at Mr. Wali’s car within seconds of each other
after parking their cruisers behind Officer Antal’s cruiser. They both wore full FCPD uniform
equipped with body-worn cameras. Officer Lachapelle approached on the passenger side
and stood at the open front-passenger window. A few seconds later, Officer Weaver
approached on the driver side, heading towards a position outside of Mr. Wali’s open driver
window and next to Officer Antal.
As he approached the car, Officer Weaver saw that Mr. Wali was reaching out of his
car window. (Mr. Wali was handing Officer Antal an identification card.) Upon arriving at
the car, Officer Weaver reached inside the car’s cabin with his left hand and grabbed Mr.
Wali’s left wrist. At this point, Mr. Wali reached for his firearm with his right hand while
Officer Weaver was commanding him not to reach. Mr. Wali pulled the firearm out of its
holster, chambered a round, and discharged one shot, which went through both Officer
Weaver’s right arm and Officer Antal’s left arm before coming to rest inside a vehicle
parked in a shopping center across the street.
From his vantage point on the passenger side of the car, Officer Lachapelle could
see Officer Weaver attempt to gain control of Mr. Wali’s hands and Mr. Wali then unholster
his firearm. Nearly simultaneously with Mr. Wali’s shot, Officer Lachapelle unholstered his
department-issued firearm and fired four rounds, all of which made contact with Mr. Wali’s
upper-right-back area.
Officer Lachapelle called “shots fired” and “Signal 1” over the radio, indicating an
officer had been injured. Multiple units then responded to the scene. Once additional
backup arrived, officers extracted Mr. Wali from the vehicle, secured his firearm, and began
to render aid to his wounds. He was later declared deceased. All four of Officer
Lachapelle’s discharged rounds were recovered from Mr. Wali’s body during a subsequent
autopsy.
My review2 of the incident leads me…

force did not violate any criminal laws. Accordingly, I find no violations of criminal law on
the part of Officer Lachapelle and decline to bring any criminal charge against him.
Steve T. Descano
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Fairfax County, Virginia

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Below, you can see a snapshot of some of the work we’ve done recently to protect you, your family, and our larger Fairfax community.

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Protecting our community from theft and fraud
Prosecuting crimes like embezzlement, theft, and property loss
We prosecuted:
- a 75 y/o do defrauding 42 employees of over $5 million in wages
- a 46 y/o for test driving an e-bike using a fraudulent ID and never returning

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Protecting our community from theft and fraud
Prosecuting crimes like embezzlement, theft, and property loss
We prosecuted:
- a 25 y/o for stealing a stranger’s vehicle and running from police
- a 41 y/o for failing to register as a sex offender

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Securing justice for victims of violent crimes
Prosecuting crimes like assault, shootings, and stabbings
We prosecuted:
- a 22 y/o for striking a crossing guard with their car and running over their leg
- a 48 y/o for shooting and killing their girlfriend
- a 38 y/o for attacking and severely injuring the partner of their ex

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

The Pilot's Editorial Board is spot-on: red flag laws are one of the best tools at our disposal to prevent gun violence, but Virginia doesn't use them enough. Every county in the Commonwealth should use them as much as we do here in Fairfax. www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/29/e...

pilotonline.com

Editorial: Underused red-flag laws can help people experiencing crisis

Evidence indicates emergency orders such as Virginia’s red-flag law help stabilize volatile situations, especially for people in a mental health crisis.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

CA Descano released a statement today regarding AG Miyares’ “investigation.”

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Statement from CA Descano on AG Miyares’ Sham “Investigation”

“This is a sad, last-ditch political stunt by a man who’s about to lose an election. His lies, half-truths, and distortions don’t change the fact that voters elected me twice to run our justice system this way, and in doing so we’ve kept Fairfax the safest large county of its size in the country. If the AG doesn’t like how we do things here he’s welcome to run for Commonwealth’s Attorney.”

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

It’s been proven that prioritizing fairness in our justice system leads to better public safety outside of it. We prioritize treating everyone, from victims to defendants, with basic human dignity and respect — a critical step to building long-term public safety. #theFairfaxModel

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Kate LaPorta should still be with us today. Max Nguyen’s needless actions stole a daughter from her parents and a mother from her children. I’m relieved that his attempts to lie about what happened to Kate did not allow him to escape accountability.

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Huy Tien Nguyen convicted of 2024 murder of Alison LaPorta
September 22, 2025 | Contact: Laura Birnbaum, PIO, 571-396-1179

Fairfax County, VA — Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced today that Huy Tien “Max” Nguyen, 48, was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder for killing Alison “Kate” LaPorta, 38, on April 17, 2024; the defendant was also convicted on one count of use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

On the night of April 17th, Mr. Nguyen, of Lorton, drove Kate, his girlfriend of one year, to Mount Vernon Hospital because she had been shot in her upper body. She was then transported to Fairfax Hospital where she later died. Mr. Nguyen claimed that Kate had shot herself with his CZ 97 BD .45 caliber firearm.

However, evidence presented at trial, including the trajectory of the bullet and a photo of the firearm’s imprint on Kate’s seatbelt, showed that Mr. Nguyen was the one who pulled the trigger while they were both seated in Kate’s car.

Mr. Nguyen’s sentencing date is February 13, 2026. He faces up to 40 years in prison for the second-degree murder charge, and 3 years for the firearm charge.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Stealing is stealing, and financial crimes can be just as devastating for victims’ families. I’m proud to have secured a conviction in what is our county’s largest-ever wage theft case.

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Conviction in largest wage theft case in Fairfax history
September 18, 2025 | Contact: Laura Birnbaum, PIO, 571-396-1179

Fairfax County, VA - Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano announced today that Thomas Burns, Sr., will pay over $1,000,000 in restitution in Fairfax County's largest-ever wage theft case. Burns pled guilty to three felonies: two counts of wage theft of more than $10,000, and one count of conspiracy to commit wage theft; he was also sentenced to 4 years of incarceration, with 1 year suspended, for each of the three charges. The three sentences will run concurrently.
Burns, 75, was the CEO of SP Global, Inc (SPG), a government contractor working on technology implementation based in Chantilly, VA. Beginning in October 2020, SPG stopped paying their 40+ employees, including managers and highly skilled tech workers. For months, Burns and other executives repeatedly promised employees that payment was forthcoming, including backpay and additional bonuses. Burns offered shifting explanations as to why employees were not being paid, including issues with international banking regulations and travel restrictions from the pandemic, while assuring employees that funds from a new investor were "guaranteed and imminent." Victims worked without pay for months, consoled by the promises made by executives, but eventually quit without ever being compensated for their work.

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In total, SPG defrauded 42 victims over $5M in wages. Eight of those victims chose to be included in the restitution agreement totaling $1,070,429.21; the other 34 victims elected to proceed with a civil suit, which is pending.
"Executives should not be able to get away with taking the money that you earned putting in an honest day's work," said CA Descano. "Stealing is stealing, and financial crimes can be just as devastating for victims' families - those who don't get paid can miss rent or mortgage payments, putting their safety and security at risk."
"I am grateful to the Fairfax County Police Department, especially Det. Jeremy Hoffman, for their tireless investigation of this crime."

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

This morning, we hosted Fairfax’s first-ever Expungement Clinic at the Hybla Valley Community Center. Removing charges you were never convicted of can lift barriers to getting a job or finding housing—improving public safety.

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Image of the Expungement Clinic in progress.

Image of CA Descano speaking to a reporter.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

There’s no question about it: Red flag laws save lives and prevent tragedies. Every locality in the Commonwealth should follow our lead and fully embrace this effective strategy to reduce violence in our communities. virginiamercury.com/2025/09/11/l...

virginiamercury.com

Localities are too timid about using Virginia red flag law that can save lives • Virginia Mercury

Virginia State Police report that since the law took effect in July 2020 through Sept. 2, 2025, authorities obtained just 1,994 emergency orders statewide, writes columnist Roger Chesley.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Below, you can see a snapshot of some of the work we’ve done recently to protect you, your family, and our larger Fairfax community.

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What we’re doing for you
Protecting our community from theft and fraud
Prosecuting crimes like embezzlement, theft, and property loss
We prosecuted:
- A 32 y/o for embezzling over $1,000 from their employer
- A 28 y/o for stealing a car that was left running in a parking lot
- A 64 y/o for breaking into someone’s car and stealing their belongings worth over $1,000
- A 32 y/o for unauthorized use of a company credit card exceeding $2,500

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What we’re doing for you
Holding major drug dealers accountable
Prosecuting crimes like trafficking, distribution, and smuggling
We prosecuted:
- A 26 y/o for selling $1,500 worth of cocaine to an undercover detective

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What we’re doing for you
Tackling the exploitation & abuse of children
Prosecuting crimes like child sexual abuse material possession
We prosecuted:
- A 39 y/o for sexually assaulting their underage daughter and underage niece

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

The claim that we should charge kids (as young as 12!) as adults is just plain wrong. A child’s still-developing brain is incredibly receptive to rehabilitation—and studies have shown that charging a kid as an adult only makes it *more likely* they’ll commit crime again once released.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Below, you can see a snapshot of some of the work we’ve done recently to protect you, your family, and our larger Fairfax community.

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What we’re doing for you
Keeping our roads safe for drivers
Prosecuting crimes like embezzlement, theft, and property loss
We prosecuted:
- a 56 y/o for driving while intoxicated and causing a crash that resulted in severe injuries to another person
- a 26 y/o for driving while intoxicated and running from police
- a 56 y/o for operating a vehicle while intoxicated with PCP

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What we’re doing for you
Securing justice for victims of violent crimes
Prosecuting crimes like assault, shootings, and stabbings
We prosecuted:
- a 33 y/o for strangling their ex-girlfriend
- a 36 y/o for attempting to assault a police officer

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

ICYMI: One of our diversion programs received a grant from Microsoft! These programs work—proving that we can keep you safe without flooding our jails and prisons.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Wrongful convictions have terrible consequences for families and undermine trust in our justice system. That’s why we created a Conviction Integrity Unit, the first-ever in our county, to make sure that innocent people are not in prison for a crime they didn’t commit. #theFairfaxModel

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Cash bail—AKA, allowing someone to pay to get released from jail pre-trial—is getting a lot of attention. Here’s the thing: it’s wrong. A system pursuing actual justice has no business giving someone preferential treatment just because they have money.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Below, you can see a snapshot of some of the work we’ve done recently to protect you, your family, and our larger Fairfax community.

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What we’re doing for you
Tackling the exploitation and abuse of children
Prosecuting crimes like child sexual abuse material possession
We prosecuted:
- a 24 y/o for sexually abusing a nine year old
- a 47 y/o for chaining their children in their apartment while at work

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

CA Descano announced today that there was a sentence in the viral Cybertruck/Lamborghini street race case.

$Image that says: SENTENCE IN VIRAL CYBERTRUCK/LAMBORGHINI STREET RACE CASE Fairfax County, VA — Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced today that Carlos Montero, 38, of Sterling, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for street racing a Lamborghini alongside a Cybertruck on October 13, 2024. A judge suspended 85/90 days and imposed a fine of $1000, with $250 suspended, for the reckless driving charge, and an additional $200 for a highway traffic infraction. On March 24, 2025, both Montero and the driver of the Cybertruck, Christian Camacho, 48, of Vienna, were convicted of misdemeanor reckless driving. Camacho’s sentencing hearing, also originally scheduled for today, was continued until August 28. In a video posted on Twitter/X and shared by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, which garnered over 150 million views, Camacho and Montero are seen street racing in a Cybertruck and a Lamborghini near Westwood Center Drive and Leesburg Pike in Tysons Center. In the video, the Lamborghini turns onto Leesburg Pike and pulls up next to the Cybertruck, which is stopped in the crosswalk of the intersection. The “flagger,” who can be heard yelling “you guys ready?” testified at trial. “This reckless behavior attracted a lot of online attention—I hope the consequences do as well,” said CA Descano. “Plain and simple: street racing is dangerous, it needlessly puts the lives of others at risk, and it has no place on the highways and roads that you and your family frequent.” ###$

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

“The young adults have been very receptive to restorative justice,” [Program Coordinator] Taylor Piepenhagen said, “often quick to take accountability for their actions and work towards repairing the harm done to individuals and the community as whole.” www.ffxnow.com/2025/07/25/f...

ffxnow.com

Fairfax restorative justice program to use grant funds to eliminate risk of racial bias | FFXnow

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

One of our diversion programs just received a grant from Microsoft and the Urban Institute! AASC provides an alternative to incarceration for youth (18-26) whose brains are still developing—a critical measure for us to reduce recidivism and lower crime.

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Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced today that a
victim-centered young adult restorative justice program, created by the Office of the
Commonwealth’s Attorney in collaboration with local nonprofit NVMS Conflict Resolution Center, has received a grant from Microsoft and the Urban Institute to advance racial equity and reform in the criminal legal system.

NVMS will use this added funding to expand the OCA’s restorative justice diversion program, Adult Accountability for Safer Communities (AASC), launched by CA Descano’s office in 2022.

The AASC program accomplishes three main goals: providing an alternative to incarceration for youth whose brains are still developing, giving victims a voice in determining how the harm done to them is resolved, and reducing recidivism. AASC will use tools provided by Microsoft to improve programming and reduce bias throughout the referral process.
“This grant will allow us to build on the success of the AASC program,” said CA Descano.

“AASC is one of the most powerful tools our office has to build long-term community
safety, lower crime in our neighborhoods, and make the system work as it should.”

NVMS is one of 25 nonprofit organizations across the country selected to join the Catalyst Grant Program, an initiative by the Urban Institute and Microsoft to support local communities that are using data and technology to reform racial bias out of our legal system. NVMS was chosen
following a highly competitive selection process and will receive funds to cover project implementation; assistance on data, policy, and community engagement from Urban; access to technology and related support; and peer learning opportunities. Key learnings and resources emerging from the Program will be shared with and beyond the justice reform field. Find out more at urbn.is/catalyst2025

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Below, you can see a snapshot of some of the work we’ve done recently to protect you, your family, and our larger Fairfax community.

Image that says: What we’re doing for you; Protecting our community from theft & fraud; prosecuting crimes like embezzlement, theft, and property loss. We prosecuted: A 38 y/o for lying about their felon status on a firearm background check form

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Your Red Flag Law Data Dashboard has been updated with June 2025 data. Below, you can see an overview of how Emergency Substantial Risk Orders (ESROs) and Substantial Risk Orders (SROs) are being used to prevent gun violence in Fairfax County. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/commonwealth...

Image that says: Red flag data dashboard updated with June 2025 data. Quote from CA Descano: “Many instances of gun violence are preceded by clear, observable warning behaviors—red flags—indicating that an individual’s access to firearms made them a danger to themselves or to you. With red flag laws, we can stop these potential tragedies before they happen. Every month we update our public data dashboards so that you can see how these laws are being used to prevent gun violence in your community.”

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Throwing non-violent offenders in jail, just for the sake of it, doesn’t create safety. It creates evictions, lost jobs, & children who are left to fend for themselves. If we aren’t deliberate about when we incarcerate, we could be feeding the conditions that create crime in the first place.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Here are some of the cases my office has handled recently, to keep Fairfax the safest county of its size.

Image that says: What we’re doing for you: Keeping our roads safe for drivers. Prosecuting crimes like DWIs, reckless driving, and hit-and-runs. We prosecuted: a 27 y/o for speeding away from police after a pullover attempt

Image that says: What we’re doing for you: Securing justice for violent crimes. Prosecuting crimes like assault, shootings, and stabbings. We prosecuted: a 21 y/o for punching a maintenance worker while trespassing in a vacant apartment; a 30 y/o for attempting to assault a police officer; a 35 y/o for raping someone while they were inebriated to the point of unconsciousness; a 31 y/o for stabbing two people in separate incidents

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

The “tough-on-crime” approach doesn’t reduce crime. If it did, you’d know by now. We don’t just imitate what’s always been done; we innovate. That means utilizing diversion programs, giving people second chances, and actually preventing crime tomorrow. #theFairfaxModel

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

My top priority is your safety. Here are some of the cases we’ve prosecuted recently, to keep Fairfax the safest county of its size.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

CA Descano announced yesterday that Ezequiel Diaz-Mondragon, 21, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder for killing Anthony “Tony” Benitez, 18, on February 19, 2021.

Fairfax County, VA — Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced yesterday that Ezequiel Diaz-Mondragon, 21, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder for killing Anthony “Tony” Benitez, 18, on February 19, 2021; the defendant was also convicted on one count of use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
Prosecutors showed at trial that the defendant and two others who were members of a group were driving through the Fairmont Gardens apartment complex in Annandale looking for members of a rival group, due to them having “beef” with each other. They encountered two teens: OM, and the victim Tony Benitez. As OM and Tony were walking away toward the parking lot, the defendant and his associates got within range, announced themselves, and began firing with multiple weapons, including a Glock and a Sig Sauer P320. The defendant aimed directly at Tony, who was hit in the back of the neck and killed.
“This was a heartless, purposeful decision to end someone’s life,” said CA Descano. “Tony was just spending time with a friend on a Friday night and was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am aghast at how random and premeditated this killing was: the defendant set out that night to hunt down someone, anyone, who he deemed to be associated with a specific group. It is the kind of despicable crime that has no place in Fairfax County. I hope that today’s verdict allows Tony’s family to process this loss knowing that his murderer has been held accountable.”
Diaz-Mondragon’s sentencing date is November 21, 2025. He faces up to life in prison for the first-degree murder charge and a mandatory minimum of 3 years for the firearm charge.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

In the past, prosecutors in our justice system were incentivized to rack up as many convictions as possible. But that’s not how we do things here. Our goal isn’t a conviction. Our goal is an outcome that holds people accountable while preventing crime in the future. #theFairfaxModel

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

“Descano has made [red flag laws] his bread and butter … it’s an approach he says other counties could replicate.” Any law that could prevent a shooting or a suicide is something worth doing—and I’m proud that Fairfax is leading on this issue. richmond.com/news/state-r...

richmond.com

2020 red flag laws rarely used by most Va. localities

The Times-Dispatch spoke with prosecutors and police in Henrico, Richmond, Hanover and Chesterfield to understand why the regions red flag law numbers are so low.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

My biggest priority is keeping you safe, and doing so transparently—here are some samples of cases we’ve prosecuted recently, to help keep Fairfax the safest county of its size.

Title image that says “What we’re doing for you: a snapshot from CA Steve Descano)

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Being smart-on-crime means adapting to each individual case—firm when necessary, restorative when possible.

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Fairfax DA Steve Descano @fairfaxcountyca.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

This morning's news was difficult to hear. Gerry Connolly wasn't just a Northern Virginia icon, but a friend. I count myself lucky, as a Fairfax County resident, to have benefited from his decades of leadership – a legacy that will be felt for generations to come.

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