Attorney General Miyares Criticizes Fairfax County Prosecutor

Virginia’s Attorney General, Jason Miyares, recently released a report detailing serious concerns about Fairfax County Federal Attorney, Steve Descano. The report claims Descano has systematically undermined public trust, particularly in major cases involving sex offenders identifying as transgender.

Descano, a Democrat in office, is facing criticism for what some see as a lenient approach to prosecution. This includes a recent incident at Fair Oaks Mall, where a man allegedly tried to abduct a three-year-old girl who was momentarily separated from her parents.

Governor Glenn Youngkin has expressed his dismay over the situation, urging Miyares to investigate how the case was handled, emphasizing the seriousness of Descano’s decisions in light of the suspect’s extensive criminal record, which includes 30 charges since 2016. Local reports indicate that Descano had previously dismissed two serious charges against a suspect.

Surveillance footage from the mall shows a 26-year-old man attempting to grab the child from the play area, which understandably raised alarms among parents and community members.

Additionally, Descano has come under scrutiny for how his office managed a rape case involving a jogger. The accused had a troubling history of sexual offenses but was released and subsequently charged. Critics pointed out that a felony charge was downgraded to a misdemeanor in another serious case where a police officer was nearly suffocated.

“Justice is not an option,” Miyares remarked, underscoring the seriousness of the legal responsibilities held by local attorneys. He accused Descano of failing to uphold the law and jeopardizing the safety of county residents.

Former Delegate Gerald “Jay” Jones has voiced strong criticisms as well, asserting that Descano’s actions betray the responsibility to protect community members.

Miyares’s report specifically highlights Descano’s policies that allow for leniency in mandatory minimum sentences and cash bail for repeat offenders. One case discussed involves Richard Cox, a previously convicted sex offender who had recently transitioned. Allegations against him included accessing restricted areas and possessing child pornography. As pressures mounted, Cox’s compliance with probation conditions became problematic, leading to further complications.

Under these circumstances, when the prosecution diminished the charges against Cox, Miyares pointed out that this was troubling, especially considering the proximity of a children’s indoor playground to where Cox was involved.

As several community members voiced their concerns, Miyares emphasized that the situation poses a risk, highlighting the need for serious oversight. He noted that there are constitutional issues to consider as well, with potential violations identified in Descano’s practices.

Attempts to reach Descano for comments regarding these issues have not yet yielded a response.