Illegal immigrant, accomplice get 5 years for murder in sweetheart deal with progressive Virginia DA

Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano secured the guilty pleas, reducing potential decades-long sentences in a case his office said lacked key physical evidence.

"There was no DNA or any physical evidence at the scene. All witnesses in this case were terrified to come forward or assist with prosecution," the office said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that Guzman is an unlawfully present Honduran national who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and was ordered removed by an immigration judge in 2019.

ICE said it lodged multiple detainers against Guzman between 2022 and 2023, but the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center declined to honor them and released him from custody.

The agency also said Guzman has prior convictions, including burglary and assault, before his arrest in the 2024 killing.

ICE said it has no record of interaction with Sorto-Portillo.

Hernandez Gonzalez was found dead in a wooded area in the 9500 block of Route 29 in Oakton just after 3 p.m. on July 20, 2024, according to Fairfax County police.

Detectives arrested Guzman, 27, and Sorto-Portillo, 45, both listed as having no fixed address, and initially charged them with malicious wounding by mob. A third suspect, Wilmer Adli Guzman, 20, was later arrested in Washington, D.C., police said.

The case comes as Fairfax County has seen multiple homicide cases involving illegal immigrants this year, according to reporting cited by federal officials.

The county's illegal immigrant crime problem has not abated: of four murders this year, three were allegedly committed by illegal immigrants, according to DHS.

"Governor Spanberger must end her sanctuary policies that allow these illegal aliens onto our streets," the agency wrote. 

She has not responded to multiple requests for comment from Fox News.