PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

February 23, 2005

Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150

GRAND JURY CHARGES DAYLABORER WITH THE FORCIBLE RAPE OF WESTERLEIGH WOMAN

***Miguel Ortiz, 25, Named in 18 Count Indictment for February14th Incident***

STATEN ISLAND, NY – Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced that a day laborer has been indicted by a Staten Island Grand Jury on charges that he forcibly entered and raped a female in her home.

The grand jury indicted Miguel Ortiz, 25, of Port Richmond, on 4 counts of Rape in the first degree, 3 counts of Criminal Sexual Act in the 1st Degree, Burglary in the 1st degree, Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Menacing in the 2nd degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree, and 7 counts of Sexual Misconduct. The most serious charge, Rape in the first degree, is a Class B felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison.

Ortiz is alleged to have forcibly entered the 38 year old woman’s home in the early morning hours of February 14, 2005 and raped her at knifepoint. She had previously employed the defendant as a laborer performing odd jobs in her residence.

Assistant District Attorney Duncan Brown will be prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Yolanda L. Rudich, Chief of the Sex Crimes/Special Victims Bureau. Ortiz is represented by Michael Harding.

Ortiz is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment in State Supreme Court on Wednesday, March 2, 2005. He was arrested on February 14, 2005 and was remanded into custody.

The public is reminded than an indictment is merely an accusation, and that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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