Adult Illegal Alien Student Accused of Groping Girls at Virginia High School

Authorities say the 18-year-old suspect groped multiple female students over several months before his arrest.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 1:41am

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An 18-year-old illegal alien student at Fairfax High School in Virginia has been arrested and charged with nine counts of assault and battery for allegedly groping numerous female classmates over a period of several months. The suspect, Israel Flores Ortiz, was denied bail by a judge who cited public safety concerns. Parents of the victims are outraged that the school initially downplayed the incidents as mere "buttocks touching" in a letter to parents.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns over school safety and the handling of serious allegations of sexual assault, especially when the suspect is an adult student who is also an illegal alien. The parents' claims of harassment and bullying of the victims by their peers also raise questions about the school's response and support for the victims.

The details

According to authorities, Ortiz groped the private areas of approximately a dozen female students at the high school over a period of several months. The victims' parents say the incidents involved Ortiz sneaking up behind the girls and putting his hand between their legs, not just "butt slapping." The school's initial letter to parents was criticized for downplaying the seriousness of the alleged assaults.

  • On March 13, the judge denied bail for Ortiz.
  • The alleged incidents occurred over a period of several months prior to Ortiz's arrest.

The players

Israel Flores Ortiz

An 18-year-old illegal alien student enrolled as a junior at Fairfax High School in Virginia, who has been charged with nine counts of assault and battery for allegedly groping multiple female classmates.

Judge Dipti Pidikiti-Smith

The judge who denied bail for Ortiz, citing public safety concerns.

Steve Descano

The Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney whose office had apparently approved the bail amount sought for Ortiz.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)

The school district that informed parents that if Ortiz is released from custody, he will be allowed to return to the high school.

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What they’re saying

“There's a group of about 12 individuals that have reported this assault. It was all perpetrated by a single individual who is a stranger to the girls. 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.”

— Victim's parent (ABC News)

“Yeah, no, I would not be here for butt slapping. I would, I mean, I would be upset about that, but this wouldn't be my second day this week here at the courthouse for that. It was a clear violation. He put his hand in between my daughter's legs, and the butt was actually the last thing that he touched.”

— Victim's parent (ABC News)

“The girls have experienced harassment and bullying from peers at school, including people that they once thought were their friends, and the letter that they sent out, referencing it only as buttocks touching, just adds fuel to rumors that they were just attention-seeking.”

— Victim's parent (ABC News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Israel Flores Ortiz out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for schools to take allegations of sexual assault seriously and provide proper support for victims, while also addressing concerns over the enrollment of adult illegal alien students and the potential risks they may pose to campus safety.