Guilty: Former CCPD officer convicted of sexual assault

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FORT MYERS, Fla. – After about three hours of deliberation, former Cape Coral police officer Casey Ortiz was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault of a minor.

Ortiz, 35, was convicted of having sex with a then 16-year-old, taking the girl to his home and having sex with her while she was on an unauthorized ride along with him.

Ortiz will be sentenced May 31.

The unanimous verdict followed testimony that included an hour-long taped interview played in court of one of his accusers and a case worker from the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida. The recording was made in Feb. 2014, several months after the alleged incident.

“It’s very difficult for victims of sexual assault to come forward especially when it’s against a law enforcement officer  nobody is above the law and the jury’s verdict showed that today,” said Royal.

The case worker also testified Friday, saying the teenager seemed confused when trying to recall the facts. During the taped interview, the accuser had trouble remembering exactly what happened, but she did describe the alleged sexual encounter between the two.

During closing arguments, prosecutors said Ortiz took advantage of the teenager regardless if she consented or not. Ortiz’ attorneys argued there’s little evidence linking him to the accuser other than her testimony.

Friday’s decision ends one of two sexual assault trials against the former officer. Ortiz still faces charges for allegedly having sexual contact with a second teenager while in his patrol vehicle. His second trial is scheduled to start April 28.

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