Ortiz guilty in sex assault

BY STACI WILSON

It took a Susquehanna County jury about one hour, last week, to bring back guilty verdicts against a man accused of sexually assaulting a minor in Gibson Twp.

Jim Thompson Ortiz, 38, Lake Como, was convicted in the Susquehanna County Court of Common Pleas of indecent assault against a child under the age of 13 – a Megan’s Law offense.

Ortiz was also convicted of corruption of minors and indecent assault against a child under the age of 16.

According to the victim, the incidents of inappropriate touching began 10 years ago in 2000 and continued on a regular basis for about eight years.

District Attorney Jason Legg said the inappropriate touching was accompanied by sexual propositions.

The Susquehanna County Independent does not identify the victims of sexual assault.

A day’s worth of testimony was presented on Monday in the case. The jury returned Tuesday morning to deliberate before handing down the guilty verdicts.

District Attorney Jason Legg said, “I am gratified that the jury had the collective wisdom to see that the victim was telling the truth.  This victim is a special young lady who is just starting to put her life back together.  She is a survivor in every sense of the word.”

Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 24, 2011. The Sexual Offender Assessment Board has been directed to conduct an assessment under Megan’s Law prior to the sentencing to determine if he meets the criteria for a sexually violent predator.