CT man extradited from NY, facing sexual assault, risk of injury to minor charges

A wanted Connecticut man who was caught trying to fly from New York to Colombia is facing multiple counts of sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor charges, officials said.

Jose L. Ortiz, 46, of Torrington was charged as a fugitive from justice on Dec. 6 after he was taken into custody in New York by members of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs Border Protection, the Port Authority of New York and the New Jersey Police Department after attempting to board an outbound flight from JFK Airport to Bogota, Colombia, according to a release from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.

Ortiz waived extradition from New York and was brought to Connecticut by members of the Connecticut State Police Troop B in North Canaan on Thursday. He is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual assault, one count of fourth-degree sexual assault and three counts of risk of injury to a minor, the DCJ said.

Litchfield State’s Attorney David R. Shannon said his office “is grateful for the assistance it received in this investigation.”

Ortiz was arraigned Friday in Torrington Superior Court and is being held in lieu of $1 million court-set bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2024.