A mother from Virginia is advocating for the removal of her county’s top prosecutor after discovering that the man accused of murdering her daughter had a lengthy criminal history, with over 30 previous arrests.
“Stephanie should be alive today,” Cheryl Minter stated in her petition aimed at ousting Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano. She expressed the heartbreak of having to bury her daughter, something no parent should face.
Her daughter, Stephanie Minter, aged 41, was found fatally stabbed in a bus stop shelter in Hybla Valley on February 23, according to Fairfax County police. Abdul Jalloh, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder but has yet to be convicted.
“She was an incredibly strong, joyful person who brought happiness to many,” Cheryl shared with Fox News Digital.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Jalloh, a national from Sierra Leone who entered the United States illegally in 2012, had encountered law enforcement over 30 times, with charges that included rape, assault, and theft.
“I was just shocked. I mean, shocked,” Cheryl remarked when she learned about his extensive record. “And yet, this man, who killed her, gets let off almost without consequence.”
In her petition, Cheryl held Descano accountable for what she termed a preventable tragedy.
“Thirty times the system had a chance to intervene. Thirty times,” she reflected. “I think about that every single day.”
Cheryl expressed her confusion regarding why Jalloh was released after an arrest from the prior winter, but those specifics and who made that decision haven’t been confirmed independently.
“When you release these individuals back into society, they won’t change. Why would they?” she questioned.
She also highlighted Descano’s plea bargain policy from 2020, which encouraged prosecutors to consider the immigration status of defendants when making decisions, claiming that safety should take precedence.
According to reports, the details about this policy have since been removed from Descano’s official website. In her view, the precedence given to immigration concerns over public safety is unacceptable.
The Justice Department is currently reviewing Descano’s office for potential preferential treatment toward undocumented defendants when it comes to charging decisions. Although it hasn’t reached any conclusions, it hasn’t clarified how Jalloh’s previous cases were managed.
In response to the inquiry, Descano defended his approach, stating, “My policies are fair and reflect our community’s values,” on a social media platform.
Cheryl Minter articulated that her main goal is to change these practices within Fairfax County and wishes to see Descano removed from his position.
“Change is my main objective,” she noted, adding that seeing Descano out of office would be an ideal outcome.
Jennifer Harrison, who leads a victims’ rights organization, has been supporting Cheryl in her petition efforts, recognizing that while an online petition alone can’t unseat Descano, it may raise awareness about his office’s practices.
Congress is also demanding answers from Descano. Jim Jordan, the House Judiciary Committee Chairman, has subpoenaed him in relation to the investigation concerning alleged unfair advantages given to criminal suspects based on their immigration status.
Jordan has set a deadline for compliance, citing a lack of full cooperation from Descano’s office thus far.
In a previous statement, Descano’s office referred to the subpoena as an unneeded escalation and claimed that the committee was conducting a “partisan siege” against Fairfax County. They noted that over 1,100 pages of documents have been provided in conjunction with voluntary testimonies and affirmed their commitment to public safety.
In the meantime, Jalloh is being prosecuted for Stephanie’s murder, with a trial set for January 2027, and no further comments can be made on the ongoing case.
Fairfax County police reported that Jalloh was apprehended after a local business employee recognized him the day after Stephanie was killed. He was subsequently held without bond.
Immigration authorities have filed detainers against Jalloh both recently and in the past, indicating he should be taken back to a country other than Sierra Leone.
Cheryl Minter expressed gratitude for the assistance she has received from the prosecutors working on her daughter’s case but feels the need to address the decisions that allowed a repeat offender to remain free.
“I want people to keep discussing this,” she emphasized. “The conversation must not stop, and I will do whatever it takes to keep it going.”
“Stephanie can’t advocate for herself anymore, so I am,” she concluded in her petition.
