A Long Hunt for Justice Rewarded with Guilty Verdicts in Child Rape Case

Defendant Jose “Brujo” Ortega returned to US in 2019 after deportation to Dominican Republic

BOSTON, May 22, 2021— Seven years after immigration authorities deported JOSE “BRUJO’’ ORTEGA, 49, preventing him from facing child rape charges in Suffolk Superior Court in 2014, and almost two years after he was returned from the Dominican Republic, a Suffolk Superior Court jury yesterday found him guilty of two counts of rape of a child, one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, one count of open and gross lewdness and one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors, District Attorney Rachael Rollins announced.

 “This case would not have been possible without the dedication of the prosecutors, the police, our federal partners, and most importantly, the courage and perseverance of the survivor,’’ said District Attorney Rachael Rollins. “We want to hold serious offenders accountable regardless of their immigration status. We were forced to be patient, but this man, who groomed this victim robbing him of his childhood and love of baseball, was held accountable in Suffolk County. Ortega will serve his sentence in the Commonwealth and once that sentence is completed he can then be deported back to the Dominican Republic.’’

At the time of his alleged offenses in Boston, Ortega was the manager of the Boston Broncos youth baseball league.  Beginning in 2000, when the victim was as young as nine years old, the defendant  groomed and abused him  chronically over a period of approximately six years. According to prosecutors, one of the many ways in which the defendant secured the victim’s silence and compliance was by not playing him in games if he did not give in to the defendant’s sexual advances.

Ortega was previously convicted of child enticement in 2012 for his actions toward another member of the youth league.  In 2014, he was indicted in this pending case and arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court.  He remained held on high bail until May 29, 2014, when that bail was reduced to personal recognizance with the agreement that the defendant would appear in court for all scheduled court dates.  By his next hearing date on June 6, 2014, however, the defendant had been taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and deported.

ADA Laura Montgomery represented the Commonwealth and Attorney Joe Griffin represented the defendant. Kate Lagana, Deputy Chief of the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Assistance Program, is the assigned victim witness advocate. Detectives in the Boston Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit were part of the team dedicated to supporting the survivor and securing accountability in this case.  The case was tried before Judge Robert Ullman.

DA Rollins added, “Sexual assaults and rapes can happen to anyone, of any age, and gender or gender identity. The survivor in this case, like so many of our survivors, showed incredible bravery by first disclosing the abuse, and then continuing on with the often difficult criminal justice process. He found the strength to confront his rapist in court, not only having to describe the details of abuse to a jury and others, but by enduring cross examination. In cases involving children, offenders often target vulnerable youth and exploit the many situations which make a child dependent on and loyal to a person in a position of trust. This victim was a 9 year old child, looking for guidance and support, both related to his love of baseball and in other areas of his life. We must remove the shame and stigma of reporting rape and sexual assaults. Unfortunately, that shame and stigma, in certain cultures, is particularly strong when the victim and perpetrator are both male. By not only disclosing the abuse, but by confronting his abuser during this trial, this survivor – now a grown man with a loving wife, family and children of his own – has taken control back over this incredibly traumatizing part of his life. Although I am grateful for the Jury’s verdict, I told the survivor Thursday after closing arguments that by him speaking up and testifying, ‘We have already won.’ What matters most is the truth and speaking about what happened. This survivor stood up not only for himself, but for the countless other young people affected by child abuse and sexual assault.”

While the victims and witnesses of any crime should call 911 in an emergency, there are additional resources available to report suspected crimes against children. In Suffolk County, survivors of child abuse and exploitation and their non-offending caretakers can receive comprehensive services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County. The CAC can be reached at 617-779-2146  or cac@state.ma.us.  Survivors may also contact the Child Protection Unit at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at 617-619-4300. Anyone who believes that a child in Massachusetts may be the victim of abuse can call the Department of Children and Families’ Child at Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200. Those concerned that a child is being exploited online may report a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.cybertipline.com.

A sentencing date has not been set.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.