Steve Descano’s Philosophy Endangers Us
Crime is on the rise in Fairfax County. Between 2021 and 2022, crimes against people increased 12% and crimes against property jumped 20%. But police are understaffed by at least 200 officers — 40 too few officers here in the Dranesville district alone.
What’s more, record numbers of Fairfax County police are retiring early or just leaving for “greener” pastures.
They know many Fairfax politicians don’t have their backs, and others are downright hostile – especially Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano.
Descano is one of the “new” breed of George Soros backed prosecutors who believe the way to fight crime is to give even violent criminals the benefit of the doubt, recognize they mostly engage in violence because of circumstances outside their control, and that any prosecutions against those of color are as likely as not to be motivated by racism.
Descano’s responsibility is to prosecute crime in Fairfax County. But, Descano refuses. He’s never personally tried a case as a prosecutor. And he often prevents others in his office from prosecuting cases as well.
It’s a fact that even as crime jumps, prosecutions in Fairfax County have dropped.
Here’s just three examples.
- In October 2022, Troy Reynolds (embed link https://wjla.com/news/local/crime-prosecution-ed-nuttall-slams-fairfax-county-commonwealths-attorney-steve-descano-for-mishandling-another-case-democratic-primary-circuit-court-and-juvenile-domestic-relations-court) was accused of driving a school bus with 44 kindergarteners into a ditch while under the influence. He was originally faced with nearly 50 years in prison. Instead, Descano plea-bargained the case down to misdemeanor charges of less than one year in prison. He refused to notify parents.
- On Mother’s Day 2020, William Francisco Riva, a convicted criminal in an act of road rage intentionally drove his car into a minivan on the Beltway nearly killing a mother, 3 children and the family dog. Despite 4 survivors and multiple eye witnesses, Descano’s office refused to prosecute the career criminal, Riva. Instead, they accepted a plea bargain. Again, Descano didn’t confer with the victims.
- In July 2021, Ronnie Reel (embed link https://www.fox5dc.com/news/virginia-man-who-confessed-to-sexually-abusing-11-year-old-offered-plea-deal-in-fairfax-co) was arrested and charged with sodomy and aggravated sexual battery on a 11-year old boy. Ronnie confessed to the victim’s mother and police. Descano’s office plea bargained the felony sexual assault to a misdemeanor, and Reel was released for time served.
Just three examples of hardened criminals who are walking the streets today because Descano’s office failed. Sadly, there are many hundreds more just like them.
Police aren’t the only ones demoralized by Descano’s failure to prosecute. His office has undergone a 100% staff turnover in less than four years.
A police officer’s job is tough enough. So is a prosecutor’s when they’re allowed to do it.
Steve Descano’s refusal to prosecute is making the jobs of police and prosecutors impossible. No wonder they’re leaving in record numbers.
You know who’s not leaving? Criminals. Gangs are growing. Drug trafficking is increasing. Crime is rising. And our wives, children, and older neighbors are in more danger than ever.
But you can make a meaningful contribution in the fight against crime if you’ll loan me your trust and your support. If you’ll let me, I’ll work day and night as your supervisor to support law enforcement, demand prosecutors actually prosecute, and do whatever else is ethical, reasonable, and lawful to make our schools and streets safer.
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