Virginia Mother Demands Prosecutor's Removal After Daughter's Fatal Stabbing

Cheryl Minter, whose daughter Stephanie Minter was fatally stabbed at a bus stop in Hybla Valley, Virginia, is petitioning for the removal of Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano. The accused assailant, Abdul Jalloh, a national of Sierra Leone who entered the U.S. illegally in 2012, had been arrested more than 30 times previously, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Jalloh has been charged with second-degree murder in Stephanie Minter's death, though he has not yet been convicted.

Stephanie Minter, 41, was found with multiple stab wounds on Feb. 23. Her mother expressed shock and grief upon learning of Jalloh's extensive criminal record, which includes previous charges for rape, malicious wounding, and theft. "Thirty times the system had a chance to stop him. Thirty times," Cheryl Minter stated in her petition, questioning how Jalloh remained free. "I think about that every single day."

Cheryl Minter contends that Descano's policies contributed to her daughter's death, specifically pointing to a 2020 plea bargaining policy that advised prosecutors to consider immigration consequences. This policy, which had been removed from the office's website, is reportedly under federal scrutiny. The Department of Justice announced in May it was investigating whether Descano's office provided preferential treatment to defendants in the country illegally in charging and plea decisions. The department has stated that no conclusions have been reached, and the investigation does not specifically address how Jalloh's past cases were handled.

Descano has defended his office's policies, stating on X, "My policies are fair, legal, and reflect the values of my community." His office has stated that Jalloh is being prosecuted for Stephanie Minter's murder, with a trial scheduled for January 2027, and declined further comment on the pending case.

Federal lawmakers are also examining Descano's practices. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, subpoenaed Descano in September as part of an investigation into alleged preferential treatment for criminal suspects based on their immigration status. Descano's office called the subpoena a "needless escalation" and a "partisan siege," asserting that it had provided over 1,100 pages of documents and that Descano had voluntarily testified.

Fairfax County police apprehended Jalloh the day after Stephanie Minter's killing, reportedly after an employee at a local business recognized him and contacted authorities. He was held without bond. ICE lodged a detainer against Jalloh after his arrest, requesting notification before his release. DHS indicated that a similar detainer had been lodged in 2020, and an immigration judge had previously ordered him removed to a country other than Sierra Leone.

Cheryl Minter acknowledged the support of Descano's office employees on her daughter's case but reiterated her criticism is directed at the decisions she believes allowed a repeat offender to remain free. "I want people never to stop talking about it," she said, emphasizing her commitment to keeping the issue in the public eye. She added, "Stephanie cannot speak for herself anymore. So I am."