On Friday, August 16, 2013, the New York State Police at Ellenville announced the arrest of Luis Ortiz, age 47, residing in room 56 of the Colonial Motel, State Route 209, Ellenville, NY.

Ortiz was arrested and charged with Rape in the first degree (Class B Felony), Burglary in the first degree (Class B Felony), Unlawful Imprisonment in the first degree (Class E Felony), Criminal Obstruction of Breathing (Class A Misdemeanor) and Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor).

On Friday, August 16, 2013, the State Police at Ellenville received a complaint regarding a violent sexual assault that occurred in the Town of Wawarsing at a private residence within an apartment complex.

Investigation by members of the State Police with the assistance of the Ulster County District Attorneys Office, revealed that the defendant had engaged the victim in conversation outside the apartment complex. The defendant then entered the victim’s apartment under false pretenses and once inside, forcibly raped her, choking her. He also kept the victim against her will.

Ortiz additionally stole property from the victim prior to leaving the residence. The investigation also revealed that Ortiz is currently on parole for burglary and was released from the New York State Department of Corrections on August 9, 2013.

Ortiz was arraigned in the Town of Wawarsing Justice Court before Town Justice Charles Dechon and remanded to the Ulster County Jail without bail.