A 23-year-old man is facing serious charges for alleged internet stalking of a child across state lines.
On March 27, JPD officers responded to an address on Parkview in reference to a disturbance. Officers made contact with a witness who advised that he found Steven Ortiz, 23, of Texas, parked in a church parking lot with his juvenile daughter. The father advised that his 15-year-old daughter was just sent to Jonesboro to live with him after her mother caught Ortiz sneaking into her house in Oklahoma. The father told police Ortiz lives in Texas and drove to Oklahoma to meet up with his daughter, then traveled to Jonesboro from Oklahoma to be with her again. The father stated when he caught them, Ortiz took off running from the scene.
Officers at the scene were advised that Ortiz was staying at a local hotel. In a press release posted to Facebook, police said officers then attempted to make contact at his room. Ortiz supposedly wasn’t there, with a man claiming be his little brother, “Oscar Ortiz,” there. The next day, police confirmed that the male they made contact with at the hotel was Steven Ortiz and “Oscar” was a made up name.
Officers arrested Ortiz and transported him to the Jonesboro Police Department to be interviewed. During the interview, Ortiz stated that he and the fifteen year old juvenile met via lnstagram and have been in a relationship for a month. Police say Ortiz advised that he and the juvenile have had intercourse 10 times over the last month and exchanged explicit photos via SnapChat
Ortiz was arrested on March 28 and went before Judge Fowler on Wednesday, March 30. He faces charges including Felony Internet Stalking of a Child, Felony Distribute/Possession/Viewing matter depicting Sexual Conduct involving Child, and Misdemeanor Obstruction of Governmental Operations.
A $150,000 cash/surety bond was set for his release.
Featured photo courtesy JPD
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