Undocumented immigrant accused of sexually assaulting child in Franklin; taken into ICE custody

FRANKLIN, Ind. - An undocumented immigrant is being held in federal detention after allegedly sexually assaulting a child in Johnson County.

Manuel Ortega, a 24-year-old undocumented immigrant living in Indianapolis, was charged last week in Johnson County court with felony sexual misconduct with a minor.




He has since been arrested and is now being held without bond by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.




Ortega, who has multiple Indiana addresses listed in Martinsville and Indianapolis, was reportedly living in Franklin when the assault occurred last summer.




The investigation into Ortega began in November 2024 after a juvenile victim came forward with the allegations.




Court documents filed state Franklin police got a tip on Nov. 22 that Ortega had sexually assaulted the child in either May or June of 2024. Ortega had reportedly entered the child's bedroom and taken off his clothes before getting into bed with the victim.




Police claim Ortega then forcibly sexually assaulted the child until abruptly stopping when another adult opened the door and saw him naked in bed. Ortega was then reportedly kicked out of the home.




During an interview with police in February, Ortega reportedly admitted to being in bed with the child. However, he claimed he did not know the child was in bed and said nothing sexual happened. Despite these claims, the victim and adult witness said otherwise.




A probable cause affidavit for Ortega's arrest was filed last Wednesday in Johnson County Circuit Court, charging him with Level 4 Felony sexual misconduct. An initial hearing in Ortega's case was held Monday in front of Judge Andrew Roesener.




The Johnson County Prosecutor's Office said that Ortega is an undocumented immigrant. As such, ICE is now holding him without bond in a federal detention facility.




No other information was immediately provided by officials. This article will be updated once more details are confirmed.





via: https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/undocumented-immigrant-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-child-in-franklin-taken-into-ice-custody/