An Apex man already facing domestic-violence allegations is now looking at a slate of serious felony charges, after prosecutors say he assaulted his wife twice over roughly three months, including a January incident that led to rape and stalking counts and an alleged violation of his pretrial release in April.
According to The News & Observer, 35-year-old Bobby Joe Ortez was first arrested on Jan. 11 in Wake County. He was booked on allegations that included assault on a female, misdemeanor domestic-violence charges, injury to personal property and communicating threats. Court records say he later posted bail under conditions requiring him to stay away from his wife's home and workplace and to contact her only in writing about the couple's children.
Charges and state law
Under North Carolina law, second-degree forcible rape is classified as a Class C felony, which carries significant prison time and long-term collateral consequences if there is a conviction, according to the N.C. General Statutes. Assault by strangulation is also treated as a felony under G.S. 14-32.4, and separate kidnapping and sexual-battery charges bring their own potential sentencing enhancements and penalties.
New arrest order and alleged April incident
Court records show that on April 21, Wake County District Court issued a fresh arrest order accusing Ortez of violating his pretrial release by going to the victim's residence, where a domestic-violence incident and additional crimes were alleged to have taken place. The warrant states that he was charged that day with sexual battery, second-degree kidnapping, a second-degree forcible sex offense and assault by strangulation. On Monday, he was also charged with second-degree rape and felony stalking in connection with offenses prosecutors tie to Jan. 11, according to The News & Observer. As of April 28, court records show Ortez was being held without bail.
What happens next
In North Carolina, felony sexual-offense charges typically move through arraignment and then grand-jury or indictment procedures. The state's court forms spell out how forcible-rape counts are formally presented to prosecutors and juries, as outlined by the North Carolina Judicial Branch. Defense attorneys can file motions, seek a bond review or raise other challenges as the case proceeds, and further hearings will be scheduled in Wake County.
Help and resources
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
Survivors seeking help can find local victim services and statewide support through the North Carolina Department of Justice and the courts' victim services information. The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 offers confidential counseling and referrals.
