Illegal immigrant accused of sexual assault at Fairfax High School in court Thursday

UPDATE: 18-year-old accused of groping classmates in Fairfax County found guilty on 9 counts

An 18-year-old student accused of groping classmates at Fairfax High School has been found guilty on nine counts. He was originally charged with 13, but was found not guilty on three counts, and one was dropped. 

UPDATE: 18-year-old accused of groping classmates at Fairfax High School found guilty on 9 counts

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. - An 18-year-old illegal immigrant, who is accused of groping fellow students at Fairfax High School, is expected in court on Thursday.

The backstory:

Israel Christopher Flores Ortiz is facing nine counts of assault and battery after being arrested last month.

He is accused of groping multiple girls in the hallway at Fairfax High School, grabbing them between the legs from behind.

The Department of Homeland Security says Ortiz is an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who came to the U.S. in 2024. They say he will be deported before he's ever released from custody. 

Victim weighs legal action after being groped by classmate in Fairfax County

One of the Fairfax County students allegedly groped by an 18-year-old classmate who is an undocumented immigrant could take legal action. FOX 5’s Regina Yurrita spoke to the victim's attorney tonight.

What's next:

Additional accusers continue to come forward. At least one alleged victim has retained an attorney and is preparing to take legal action.

In a statement to FOX 5, DHS said, "We are calling on Fairfax County to honor our detainer to ensure this violent criminal is removed from our country so he can never claim another victim again."

The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office says if the teen is ordered released from custody at some point, ICE can come get him.

What they're saying:

Parents of students at Fairfax City High School voiced their concern when news of Ortiz's arrest emerged last month.

"If it had been going on repeatedly, why wasn't it either reported or acted on before it was repetitive?" one parent said. "The bigger concern is the activity that's taking place, right? I don't want to put too much focus on whether he was legally here or if he was an illegal immigrant. I think it's more so the action that was taking place is very concerning for me."