Marvin Morales-Ortez, a 23-year-old, was released from Fairfax County custody despite facing previous charges of assault and brandishing a firearm. This decision came from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, led by Steve Descano, and allowed a man with a growing criminal history to return to the streets.
Just one day after his release, Morales-Ortez is now implicated in a homicide. A man was found dead in a Reston, Virginia home, and investigators have connected Morales-Ortez to the crime, plunging a community into grief and raising urgent questions about public safety.
Court records reveal a disturbing pattern. Since 2020, Morales-Ortez had been charged with at least seven separate crimes within Fairfax County, painting a picture of escalating behavior and repeated encounters with the legal system.
Critics argue that Morales-Ortez should never have been freed. Sean Kennedy, with Virginians For Safe Communities, stated that the release was a predictable outcome of the current administration’s policies, suggesting a disregard for potential future offenses.
Following his initial release, a clinician attempted to take Morales-Ortez into custody under an Emergency Custody Order, citing concerns about his mental state. However, officers dispatched to his residence were unable to locate him before the order expired, leaving him unrestrained.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials expressed frustration, stating that Fairfax County’s refusal to cooperate with their detainer request directly contributed to the tragedy. They believe that had local authorities honored the request, the homicide might have been prevented.
The election of Steve Descano in 2019 was heavily influenced by substantial financial contributions from a political action committee primarily funded by George Soros. This PAC provided a majority of Descano’s campaign funding, raising questions about the influence of outside money on local prosecutorial decisions.
Over several election cycles, the PAC contributed over $627,000 to Descano’s campaigns, part of a larger, nationwide effort to support progressive prosecutor candidates. This financial support has drawn scrutiny and fueled debate about the direction of criminal justice reform.
The case has ignited a fierce debate about the balance between progressive criminal justice policies and public safety. The tragic outcome has prompted calls for a reevaluation of release practices and a stronger commitment to upholding the law.
