PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a decisive verdict, Victor Ortiz, a 47-year-old resident of Philadelphia, was convicted on Friday of stalking and inflicting severe injuries on a former partner. This case highlights the grave nature of domestic violence and the lengths to which some individuals will go to control and harm others.
The events unfolded on the morning of May 4, 2022, when Ortiz pursued his ex-girlfriend as she walked to her workplace in Philadelphia. Before she could reach her destination, Ortiz launched a vicious attack, throwing soda ash—a highly caustic substance—onto her face and torso. The assault resulted in temporary blindness in her left eye, along with severe pain and permanent disfigurement.
Investigators later discovered Ortiz had surreptitiously placed a GPS tracking device on the victim’s vehicle, enabling him to monitor her movements. This revelation came to light when law enforcement discovered the device and, alarmingly, captured Ortiz attempting to install a second tracking device on her car in July 2022.
Scheduled for sentencing on December 17, Ortiz faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The conviction serves as a reminder of the severe legal consequences for those who choose to engage in such destructive behaviors.
United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero remarked on the case’s significance, stating, “Victor Ortiz needed to take ‘no’ for an answer. But rather than moving on when a relationship ended, he targeted, stalked, and viciously assaulted his ex-partner, causing horrendous physical pain and emotional trauma. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement colleagues to get justice for stalking victims and take the dangerous offenders who terrorized them off the street.”
The case was built upon a thorough investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Philadelphia Police Department. Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia, Sara Bay, emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation in bringing offenders like Ortiz to justice. “HSI is dedicated to protecting individuals from dangerous predators such as Victor Ortiz,” she affirmed.
Assistant United States Attorneys Michael R. Miller and Angella Middleton are leading the prosecution.
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