Sunday, January 19, 2025

Newsom denies losing former Cambodian criminal Phoeun You and he is deported to his country

Phoeun You, 48, sought a pardon from Gov. Gavin Newsom, which never came before her deportation.
The parents of Phoeun You sit outside the Elihu M. Harris Building in Oakland, California, on July 28, 2022, pleading with Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon their son. (Keith Burbank/Bay City News)

By Keith Burbank and Kathleen Kirkwood. Bay City News.

A convicted murderer who reformed and plans to live in Oakland was deported to Cambodia on Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials confirmed Thursday.

Phoeun You, 48, sought forgiveness from Gov. Gavin Newsom, who never arrived before her deportation. You's reentry plan focused on Oakland.

Federal officials said You was convicted of first-degree murder in Los Angeles County in 1996 and sentenced to 35 years to life in prison, and was a member of the Asian Boyz gang, according to a statement.