The Trump administration is fighting to prevent the early release of an undocumented immigrant who killed two teenagers while driving drunk, as California prepares to free him after serving just three years of his ten-year sentence.
Key Takeaways
- Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, previously deported in 2013, killed two 19-year-olds while driving drunk at nearly 100mph in 2021
- Despite receiving a 10-year sentence in 2022, Ortega-Anguiano is now scheduled for early release after serving only three years
- The Trump administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom are now working together to pursue federal charges that could result in up to 20 additional years of imprisonment
- ICE has issued a detainer for Ortega-Anguiano, with California officials pledging to coordinate his transfer before release
- Families of victims Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin have expressed outrage over the early release decision
A Deadly Crash and Its Aftermath
In November 2021, Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano was driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs at nearly 100mph when he crashed, killing 19-year-olds Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin. Ortega-Anguiano had previously been deported in 2013 but illegally re-entered the United States. In spring 2022, he was convicted of two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, due to California’s early release credits system, Ortega-Anguiano is now set to be released after serving only three years of his sentence.
The families of the victims have expressed profound grief and frustration over the early release decision. Pavel Osokin, father of one of the victims, voiced his disbelief at the shortened sentence: “Three years for killing two kids! It’s confusing to me. Why you give them 10 if they’re gonna spend five, and then three? Give them three in the beginning, at least we know what to expect. It’s sort of spitting in my face.”
BREAKING: Twice deported illegal with long rap sheet including felonies who kiIIed two teens while driving drunk is getting an early release thanks to woke California officials.
He was sentenced to 10 years but now California is releasing him back onto the streets after 3 years.… pic.twitter.com/lEkwwytbAU
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 23, 2025
Trump Administration Response
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has forcefully condemned the planned early release, emphasizing that the case exemplifies fundamental flaws in the immigration system. The administration has taken a firm stance against the early release of Ortega-Anguiano, with top officials coordinating efforts to ensure he faces additional consequences for his actions and illegal reentry into the United States. Attorney General Pam Bondi has also expressed outrage over the situation, emphasizing justice for the victims.
“President Trump is not going to tolerate illegal immigrant crime. This individual case represents everything that is wrong with our immigration system,” said Leavitt. “We will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and ensure that illegal immigrants who not only break our nation’s immigration laws, but then further commit heinous acts of violence against law-abiding American citizens in our country are held to the fullest extent of the law.”
Leavitt specifically stated that the Department of Justice would be pursuing a conviction that would ensure additional prison time for Ortega-Anguiano. The administration has been vocal about its determination to address what it views as systemic failures that allowed a previously deported individual to return to the United States and commit deadly crimes.
Bipartisan Cooperation and Federal Charges
In an unexpected development, California Governor Gavin Newsom has agreed to assist the Trump administration in pursuing federal charges against Ortega-Anguiano. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has committed to coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to transfer Ortega-Anguiano before his release. This cooperation comes despite California’s sanctuary state policies that have sometimes complicated federal immigration enforcement efforts.
“After being deported in 2013, this individual unlawfully re-entered the US & committed heinous crimes,” the governor’s office said in an X post.
Bilal Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, has already filed a felony immigration charge against Ortega-Anguiano. “My office has filed a felony immigration charge against this defendant,” Essayli posted on social media. “He faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted for 8 USC 1326,” referring to the federal statute that criminalizes reentry after deportation. This charge could potentially add significant time to Ortega-Anguiano’s incarceration, addressing concerns about his premature release.
Victim Families Speak Out
The families of the victims have expressed their grief and frustration over what they perceive as lenient treatment of the man responsible for killing their children. Anatoly Varfolomeev, a father of one victim, expressed concern about the possibility of Ortega-Anguiano returning to the United States even if deported again. “It’s disgusting. You have two young, unbelievable future, productive American citizens killed for nothing and that illegal immigrant who already has been deported twice is going to be released again? For what? If even he is deported, he will come back.”
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has stated that inmates can earn credits for early release through participation in rehabilitative programs, explaining the shortened sentence. However, this policy has come under scrutiny in cases involving serious offenses like vehicular manslaughter.
