An undocumented immigrant is facing serious allegations in Virginia, accused of multiple instances of inappropriate behavior at a local high school. The charges against him include nine counts of assault and battery, following accusations of groping fellow students in the hallways.
The accused, Israel Flores Ortiz, an 18-year-old junior at Fairfax High School, was charged with these offenses, classified as level one misdemeanors. Ortiz, who was arrested on March 7, made a court appearance on Friday morning to address the allegations.
Ortiz, who is approaching his 19th birthday, reportedly entered the United States illegally in 2024, originating from El Salvador. He was subsequently released under a policy enacted by the Biden administration, according to a report by 7News.
Concerns were raised by the mother of one of the alleged victims, who claimed that the suspect would approach girls from behind, whom he did not know, and inappropriately touch them. “There’s a group of about 12 individuals that have reported this assault,” the concerned parent stated, highlighting the widespread impact of the incidents.
The mother of one of the victims said the suspect would sneak up behind girls he didn’t know and grab them by the crotch.
‘There’s a group of about 12 individuals that have reported this assault,’ the unnamed parent said.
‘It was all perpetrated by a single individual who is a stranger to the girls. He just sneakily walked up behind them and put his hand in between their legs.’
Victims claimed Ortiz had been touching them inappropriately for months, though police listed his official offense date as February 25.
Israel Flores Ortiz was arrested on March 7 for nine counts of assault and battery
At least a dozen students at Fairfax County High School accused Ortiz of grabbing them inappropriately in the school hallway
‘It was not just a butt smack or a butt grab,’ she continued. ‘It was a groping of a private area. It had been occurring for several months.’
The victims’ parents were less than satisfied with how the school district and Principal Georgina Aye handled the distressing case.
‘I think from the very beginning, Fairfax County has attempted to diminish what happened to these girls,’ a parent said, calling the county’s approach to the situation ‘abysmal.’
Aye issued a letter on March 12 alerting parents of a ‘student touching students’ buttocks.’
‘We are writing to share the news of the recent arrest of a student who was charged with inappropriately touching other students at school,’ it read.
‘These incidents involved the student touching students’ buttocks while they were transitioning in the hallways.’
Parents were dissatisfied with the letter, which they said was only sent out after they ‘demanded it.’
They alleged that the principal’s choice of words led to bullying toward the victims, ‘adding fuel to the rumors that they were just attention seeking.’
‘The girls have experienced harassment and bullying from peers at school,’ a parent said.
Concerned parents (pictured) told 7News that they were dissatisfied with the way the school handled the incident
Parents claimed that Fairfax County Public Schools would allow Ortiz back in class if and when he is released from custody.
County Judge Dipti Pidikiti-Smith denied his request to be released on bail this week, even after the prosecution agreed.
Pidikiti-Smith, who reviewed surveillance video of the incident, claimed the bail request that was made did not adequately protect the public.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer on Ortiz’s arrest so that he could be deported.
But the agency claimed that the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office failed to honor the detainer.
‘Unfortunately, sanctuary politicians like [Virginia] Gov Abigail Spanberger are outlawing cooperation with ICE and choosing to RELEASE criminal illegal aliens from their jails back onto their communities to create more American victims,’ ICE said.
Fairfax High School sent out a letter two weeks after the reported incidents, informing parents about what had happened
Parents are also concerned that even if Ortiz is convicted, he won’t serve the time they believe he deserves.
Because Ortiz was charged with assault and battery, not sexual assault, he could spend just one year in jail, per Thomas M Wilson Law.
The victims’ parents agreed that the most important thing is making sure the same thing cannot happen to other girls in the future.
‘I feel like this seems like a crime of someone that will escalate … if it’s not handled properly, and that’s been my concern,’ said a parent.
The Daily Mail contacted the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, DHS, Fairfax High School and the public defender’s office for comment.
