On May 19th, 2020, the Pocahontas Police was contacted by Delaware Police Department in Ohio in reference to a missing 16 year old female juvenile. It was determined that Brian Miguel Velez-Ortiz was suspected of traveling to Delaware, Ohio and bringing the juvenile back to Pocahontas without her guardians permission.Â
Officers with the Pocahontas Police and Randolph County Sherriff’s Department went to the residence of Mr. Velez-Ortiz and located the juvenile. While Detective Jones interviewed the juvenile, it was determined that she was not forced to leave her home in Ohio.
Mr. Velez-Ortiz was arrested on May 20th, 2020.
With the assistance of the Jonesboro Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Division, a search warrant of Mr. Velez-Ortiz’s phone was executed and it was determined that nude image(s) of the juvenile had been received by Mr. Velez-Ortiz.
Mr. Velez-Ortiz has been charged with the following:1. A.C.A. 5-26-503, Interference with Custody, a C Felony2. A.C.A. 5-27-403(a) Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, a B Felony3. A.C.A. 5-27-603(2) Computer Child Pornography, a B Felony4. A.C.A 5-27-602(a)(2) Possessing and Viewing of matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, a C Felony5. A.C.A. 5-27-605(A)(B(i & iv)) Computer Exploitation of a Child, a B Felony
District Judge Bigger set a total of $130,000 cash only bond. Mr. Velez-Ortiz’s first appearance date is set for June 26th, 2020 in the Randolph County Circuit Court.
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