Bill Essayli, the newly appointed U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, has announced plans to pursue immigration charges against Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, a man who is nearing release from state prison. Ortega-Anguiano is serving time for a tragic crash on the 405 Freeway in November 2021 that resulted in the deaths of two teenagers, Anya Varfolomeev and Nikolay Osokin.
Ortega-Anguiano, 43, pleaded guilty to two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. He was sentenced to ten years in prison but is eligible for parole after serving about three years. His case has sparked outrage, especially as he was reportedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol and driving nearly 95 mph at the time of the collision.
Essayli, who took office earlier this month, expressed his determination to seek justice in this case. He emphasized that if California state authorities do not take appropriate action, his office will step in. In a post on social media, he stated, “If the State of California will not seek the full measure of justice against this individual, the Justice Department will.”
Pending charges against Ortega-Anguiano, which were initially filed by the previous administration, could lead to a federal prison sentence of up to 20 years for illegally reentering the country after being deported twice in the past.
The crash that claimed the lives of Varfolomeev and Osokin has left their families devastated. The teenagers were just 19 years old when their car was struck by Ortega-Anguiano’s vehicle, which burst into flames upon impact. This incident has raised significant concerns about public safety and the handling of repeat offenders.
Following the crash, federal officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, criticized the potential early release of Ortega-Anguiano. They have promised to enforce immigration detainers to prevent him from being released back into the community. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has also pledged cooperation with federal authorities to ensure Ortega-Anguiano is transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upon his release from prison.
As Ortega-Anguiano awaits his fate, the case continues to draw attention, highlighting the complexities of the legal system when it comes to serious offenses committed by individuals with undocumented status. The families of the victims and advocates for justice are closely monitoring the situation, hoping for accountability and a commitment to public safety.