Illegal convicted of assaulting high school girls thought he was free — then DHS dropped the hammer
Israel Flores‑Ortiz, a 20‑year‑old illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was removed from the United States this week after a brief jail term in Fairfax County, Virginia, for groping nine high‑school girls. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took the former student into custody on August 31, and ICE agents deported him to his home country on Wednesday.
Flores‑Ortiz had been arrested earlier in the year and sentenced to 360 days in jail for touching the private parts of nine Fairfax High School students. He was released after roughly nine months, even though prosecutors had indicated he could face several years in prison. While he was on release, the county sheriff’s office released him into federal custody, citing a Virginia law that allows transfer up to five days before a scheduled release. According to the sheriff’s office, the responsibility for his custody and transfer rested with the sheriff, not the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
“Israel Flores‑Ortiz, an illegal alien who groped multiple high school girls in Fairfax County, was deported to El Salvador yesterday,” an ICE spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “DHS will never stop fighting to remove sickos like Flores‑Ortiz and make America safe again.” The same spokesperson added that “under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome – especially those who harm our American communities.”
The case comes amid a broader debate over Fairfax County’s sanctuary policies. The county, which surrounds Washington, D.C., has long been criticized for its handling of illegal immigrants, and the recent actions of local officials have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers. Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said the county’s sheriff’s office handled Flores‑Ortiz’s custody and transfer. Meanwhile, state Attorney General’s Office, headed by Attorney General Kincaid, stated that the county had complied with a court order and turned over the individual to federal authorities, noting the existence of an immigration detainer.
A parent of one of Flores‑Ortiz’s victims told ABC’s Washington affiliate that about 12 students had reported encounters with the former student. “He just sneakily walked up behind them and put his hand in between their legs. It was not just a butt smack or a butt grab. It was a groping of a private area. It had been occurring for several months,” the mother said. Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid had previously warned that such behavior was “unacceptable” and had hired outside counsel to conduct a comprehensive review.
The county’s actions have attracted criticism from state lawmakers, who have questioned the decision to release a suspect who had a court order for removal. “It was heartening,” said Sean Kennedy, leader of Virginians for Safe Communities, a local advocacy group. “In Flores‑Ortiz’s case, the existence of a court order may have influenced the decision, but her office did not immediately elaborate.” Kennedy also highlighted that the county had turned over only 11 individuals to federal authorities over a 16‑month period, despite requesting 615 detainers.
The federal investigation into the county’s handling of illegal immigrants began earlier this year, with the Department of Justice opening an inquiry into the county’s Department of Justice‑backed District Attorney, who has been accused of providing “going easy” on illegal immigrants. Congressional representatives grilled Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano and Attorney General Kincaid over their general non‑cooperation with ICE in the past year.
While the county has long maintained sanctuary policies, the recent arrest and deportation of Flores‑Ortiz marks the latest high‑profile case that has reignited debate over the balance between local autonomy and federal immigration enforcement. The DHS’s swift action, citing the Trump administration’s hard‑line stance on illegal immigration, underscores the federal government’s willingness to intervene in local matters when a serious crime is involved. The case also highlights the complex legal landscape surrounding immigration detainers, local jurisdiction, and the rights of undocumented individuals accused of serious offenses.
