Raw and Unfiltered Discourse: Senator Tony Strickland Speaks Out on Early Release of Illegal Immigrant After DUI Tragedy
Lawmaker in a blue state calls for repercussions following disclosure of early release plan for an illegal immigrant
California state Sen. Tony Strickland ain't holding back when it comes to demanding action after the controversial early release of an undocumented immigrant who's served just three and a half years for a 2021 DUI manslaughter that claimed the lives of two Orange County teenagers.
Strickland, a California Republican, believes systemic changes are necessary, particularly to programs that may have granted Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, the convicted driver, the chance to walk back into society earlier than expected.
"We need to revamp these systems. We need to get our act together, man—again, the most fundamental role of government is public safety, and we've got to restore accountability here in California. You mess up, you pay your debt to society. No exceptions, sure as shit," Strickland tells our site Digital.
According to reports, Ortega-Anguiano, 43, was driving under the influence and at near-100mph on the 405 freeway when he collided with a car carrying a young couple, 19-year-olds Anya Varfolomeev and Nicholay Osokin, burning both of them to death. Convicted of two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in spring 2022, Ortega-Anguiano would have been released from his 10-year sentence in July had it not been for the intervention of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's office stated last week that California would work with ICE to move Ortega-Anguiano before his release.
"This whole early release plan is a kick in the teeth to the parents and everyone who cherished those kids who tragically passed away," Strickland adds.
So what's the deal with these prison credit systems, you ask? California prisoners can earn credits for good behavior, drug rehabilitation, work, and other programs, as specified in Proposition 57, approved in 2016. Critics claim it sometimes releases violent offenders too soon, but it's a different story when it's a DUI manslaughter like Ortega-Anguiano's.
ICE tells Digital that the defendant had entered the country illegally not once, but twice, and had a string of prior offenses before the fatal crash. But hey, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) won't corroborate any release date or location until the day of.
Strickland thinks the Golden State has been asleep at the wheel, and he reckons voters are slowly waking up to the lack of leadership in Sacramento. The Orange County lawmaker believes California will be shining once more, but it'll take strong leaders to step up and steer the ship right.
"I ain't seen much action from the Democratic supermajority in Sacramento regarding early release concerns. But folks are starting to wise up to what's going on in the capital and waiting for leadership to take a stand. I do believe California will rise again, but it's gonna take a team effort, and people like me are ready to get California back on the right track," Strickland concludes.
Note to reader: For a deeper dive into California's prison credit system, its implications, and concerns, read our enrichment article below.
[Enrichment Article: Life Behind Bars In California: An Analysis of Their In-Prison Credit System]
Cameron Arcand, our politics writer in Washington, D.C., contributed to this article. Questions or comments can be directed to [email protected], or follow him on Twitter @cameron_arcand.
Sources:
- "ICE told our website Digital"
- "GOP DA trades barbs with Newsom after being blamed for bad 'plea deal' for illegal immigrant felon"
- "California state Sen. Tony Strickland demands long-term action after illegal immigrant DUI early release controversy"
- "Mugshot of manslaughter convict Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano."
- "CDCR statement on early release"
[Enrichment Article: Life Behind Bars In California: An Analysis of Their In-Prison Credit System]
California's in-prison credit system, designed to offer inmates opportunities for good behavior, rehabilitation, work, and other programs, can potentially impact the early release of illegal immigrants convicted of severe crimes, such as DUI manslaughter. Here's a more comprehensive look at this system, its outcomes, and consequences.
Components of California's In-Prison Credit System
- Earning Opportunities: California inmates can reduce their prison time by earning credits for good behavior, drug rehabilitation programs, employment, and educational pursuits, as outlined in Proposition 57 in 2016. The initiative expanded such opportunities, with the accrual rate for credits being increased and more prisoners eligible to earn them, particularly for non-violent crimes.
Effects of the System on Serious Crimes
- DUI Manslaughter Cases: For offenders like Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, who served time for a DUI manslaughter conviction, the system offers the possibility of significant sentence reduction if enough credits are earned. This scenario has raised public safety concerns, particularly when combined with immigration status issues.
Interplay with Immigration Policies
- ICE Involvement: Undocumented immigrants' early releases could lead to intervention by ICE. In cases like Ortega-Anguiano's, in which the offender has multiple prior offenses and a history of deportation, such controversies can arise from the intersection of state prison policies and federal immigration procedures.
Overall, California's in-prison credit system allows undocumented immigrants to earn credits that can lead to earlier release from prison for offenses like DUI manslaughter. This can cause public unease, especially when combined with immigration policies. Reforms to ensure public safety may be warranted in such situations.
- California Senator Tony Strickland believes that systemic changes are necessary, particularly to programs that may have granted Oscar Eduardo Ortega-Anguiano, a convicted DUI manslaughter driver, the early release from prison.
- According to Strickland, the early release plan of Ortega-Anguiano, who was driving under the influence and at high speed, is a kick in the teeth to the families of the victims and everyone who cherished them.
- Reports suggest that Ortega-Anguiano had entered the country illegally multiple times and had a string of prior offenses before the fatal crash, which raises concerns about the early release program and its impact on public safety.
- Lawmakers and voters are slowly waking up to the lack of leadership in Sacramento concerning early release concerns, according to Strickland, and he believes California can rise again with strong leaders who take action.
- The in-prison credit system in California allows undocumented immigrants to earn credits for good behavior, rehabilitation, work, and other programs, as specified in Proposition 57. However, critics argue that this system sometimes releases violent offenders too soon, particularly in cases like Ortega-Anguiano's DUI manslaughter.
