An 18-year-old who came to the U.S. illegally from El Salvador is facing serious allegations in Virginia. Israel Flores Ortiz, who is nearly 19 and attends Fairfax High School, is accused of molesting 12 female students.
He has been charged with nine counts of assault and battery after reportedly sneaking up behind his classmates and inappropriately touching them in crowded hallways.
According to local reports, Ortiz entered the U.S. illegally in 2024 and was released under federal policies attributed to the Biden administration.
He appeared in court on March 7, where it was noted that the alleged incidents happened as students were switching classes at the school, which is located about 20 miles from Washington, D.C.
Parents have claimed that Ortiz’s troubling behavior lasted for several months. One mother stated, “There is a group of about 12 people reporting this assault. He sneaked up behind them and put his hand between their legs.”
The parents stress that this wasn’t just playful behavior. Another mother emphasized, “It wasn’t just a spanking or a butt grab. It was a private part molestation. It had been going on for several months.”
While police have labeled February 25 as the official date of the crimes, parents insist that concerns about Ortiz had been raised well before that date.
Families expressed frustration toward Fairfax County Public Schools for not addressing the situation adequately. Principal Georgina Eye sent out a letter on March 12 detailing that a student had been arrested for “inappropriately touching another student,” framing it as merely “groping the student’s buttocks in the hallway.”
Parents believed this wording was an attempt to downplay the seriousness of the incidents, which only came after they sought clarification.
One parent described the school district’s response as “terrible,” suggesting it downplayed the gravity of what had occurred.
In a statement, Fairfax County Public Schools emphasized their commitment to student safety and mentioned their cooperation with law enforcement for swift investigations regarding reported incidents. They could not comment on specific cases due to privacy laws.
This week, a Fairfax County judge decided against granting Ortiz bail, citing video evidence that indicated the proposed conditions for his release wouldn’t sufficiently protect the public, despite prosecutors not opposing his release.
ICE has sought to have Ortiz deported, but reports indicate that Fairfax County authorities have not honored that request.
An ICE spokesperson criticized local politicians for their stance on cooperation with immigration authorities and highlighted concerns about the release of individuals, like Ortiz, who pose risks to public safety. They are urging that he be removed from the country to prevent further incidents.
Ortiz’s charges, while serious, are misdemeanors; the assault and battery counts could lead to a maximum of one year in jail.
