An 18-year-old illegal immigrant, Israel Flores Ortiz, is facing additional charges for allegedly molesting a female student at a Virginia high school. This comes after more victims have come forward regarding his actions.
Previously, Flores Ortiz had already been charged with nine counts of assault and battery for inappropriately touching a classmate at a school in Fairfax County.
Fairfax Police received reports on March 5 about multiple assaults happening on the school campus. An arrest warrant was issued, and Flores Ortiz surrendered to authorities on March 7.
On Wednesday, law enforcement announced that four more charges were added, stemming from the testimonies of additional victims who reported similar incidents during the investigation.
Currently, Flores Ortiz is being held without bail at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
The Department of Homeland Security revealed that he is an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, having entered the United States in 2024. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that he is now in custody.
Stacey Langton, a parent of students at Fairfax High School, expressed her fears. “It’s scary as a parent,” she said. “You think your daughters are safe in school, but in this case, they definitely were not.” The notion of potential abuse happening during something as routine as a class change is unsettling for any parent.
Following the initial accusations, there was significant outrage among parents in Fairfax County. “We’re asking Fairfax County to protect our kids by ensuring this violent criminal is removed from our country,” a statement from DHS emphasized.
In response to the situation, Fairfax County Public Schools issued a statement asserting that student safety is a top priority. They noted their inability to comment on specific cases due to privacy laws but reiterated their commitment to investigating any reports of incidents or safety concerns.
“We appreciate our law enforcement partners for their promptness in addressing safety concerns,” the district added. “Ensuring the safety of all our students and staff remains our utmost priority.”
