Yesterday in Philadelphia, the sentencing of Victor Ortiz for a brutal chemical attack against his ex-girlfriend painted a stark image of the consequences of domestic violence. According to a Justice Department report, the 47-year-old was sentenced to seven years in prison and three years of supervised release, including a restitution payment of $3,300, by United States District Court Judge R. Barclay Surrick.
Walking to her office on the morning of May 4, 2022, Ortiz followed his ex-girlfriend and, not able to accept the conclusion of their relationship, threw soda ash on her face and torso, a chemical known for its corrosive properties. The victim was temporarily blinded in her left eye and sustained permanent scarring. Through determined investigation, law enforcement officials established that Ortiz had affixed a GPS device to the victim's car to track her movements, as well as tried to plant a second device in July 2022, as caught on camera.
This wasn't the first instance of Ortiz's obsessive behavior being officiated under the heavy hand of the law. In a statement obtained by the Justice Department, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf elaborated on Ortiz's past, mentioning a 2005 conviction for criminally harassing his ex-wife and a 2016 finding by an arbitrator that he stalked another ex-girlfriend by using a GPS device.
Victor Ortiz has a troubling pattern of refusing to move on when his relationships end," said Metcalf of the Justice Department. The orchestrated and cruel actions of Ortiz brought significant physical and emotional harm upon his victim, as reflected in the severity of the injuries from the attack. Ortiz's behavior was condemned by Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia, Edward V. Owens, who said, "Through our strong partnerships with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement, we will continue to pursue those who pose a threat to our communities and hold them accountable for their crimes.
The case, which demonstrates the disturbing overlap between personal vendetta and public safety, was investigated collaboratively by Homeland Security Investigations and the Philadelphia Police Department, with Assistant United States Attorneys Michael R. Miller and Angella Middleton prosecuting.
