Mexican Illegal Alien Who Killed Two California Teenagers in DUI Car Crash Arraigned on Federal Criminal Immigration Charge

SANTA ANA, California – A Mexican national and twice-deported illegal alien, whose criminal history includes nine arrests and a vehicular manslaughter conviction for killing two teenagers in Orange County, was arraigned today on a felony federal charge.

Oscar Eduardo Ortega, 43, pleaded not guilty to one count of being an illegal alien found in the United States following removal.

United States Magistrate Judge John D. Early ordered Ortega detained and scheduled a September 8 trial date in this matter.

“After being deported to Mexico twice, he returned to our country, where he killed two young people in a DUI accident and where he served only 3½ years out of a 10-year sentence in California state prison,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Governor Newsom let down the victims’ families by allowing this criminal to be released from prison after barely serving a third of his sentence. The state of the criminal justice system in California is dire, the prisons are being emptied at lighting speed. Thankfully, the federal government is able to step in and help deliver justice for the victims and their families in this case.”

“Ortega never should have been in our country, and he should never have been given an early release after killing Anya Varfolomeev and Nikolay Osokin,” U.S. Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar said in a statement. “Today, a small amount of justice has been done. The grief will never go away, but we continue to pray for Anya and Nikolay’s families as well as all Americans harmed by illegal immigration.”

According to the single-count indictment, Ortega previously was removed from the United States in December 2016 and June 2018. In November 2021, Ortega – while under the influence of alcohol and drugs and driving at speeds of 100 mph on the 405 freeway in Seal Beach – crashed into another car, killing the two 19-year-old victims inside.

In 2022, Ortega was convicted in Orange County Superior Court of two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and was sentenced to 10 years in California state prison. He was released from state prison after serving approximately 3½ years of his sentence.

On Thursday, he was taken into custody by U.S. immigration officials and is now in federal custody.

Ortega’s criminal history also includes felony convictions in October 2005 in Los Angeles Superior Court for grand theft of personal property and unlawful taking of a vehicle. In February 2014, Ortega was convicted in Orange County Superior Court of a felony charge of false imprisonment by violence and deceit.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted, Ortega would face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence E. Kole of the Orange County Office is prosecuting this case.