Fairfax County Schools Face Title IX Probe Over Sexual Assaults

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Public Schools faces a Title IX investigation by the U.S. Department of Education after allegations surfaced that multiple students were sexually assaulted.

“Fairfax County Public Schools received the complaint yesterday and is reviewing it. We are prepared to fully cooperate with the U.S. Department of Education’s inquiry,” FCPS said, in statement on Tuesday.

The investigation seeks to determine whether the Fairfax school system discriminated on the basis of sex in its response to the sexual assault accusations, involving an 18-year-old student at Fairfax High School.

"We are grateful to our law enforcement partners and are continuing to work closely with them as their investigation into this matter moves forward," FCPS said. "To maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we cannot share additional details at this point"

On March 25, City of Fairfax Police filed four additional charges of assault and battery against Israel Flores Ortiz, 18, who has been held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center since he surrendered to police on March 7. He faces a total of 13 counts of assault and battery.

Fairfax City police began investigating Flores Ortiz after they were alerted on March 5 about a series of sexual assaults involving juvenile students at Fairfax High School that occurred over several months.

RELATED: 12 Student Sexual Assault Victims Prompt FCPS Investigation

On March 23, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid sent a letter to Fairfax High School families, informing them the school district had hired a law firm to review the circumstances around the allegations.

"The goal is clear: to establish a clear understanding of what occurred, when it occurred, and confirm that all policies, procedures, and regulations were properly followed," Reid said. "The firm of McGuireWoods will conduct this thorough, objective, and independent review."

Originally, 12 people reported they had been assaulted by Flores Ortiz, who would approach them from behind and slip his hands between their legs, according to WJLA7.

WJLA quoted a March 12 email Fairfax High School Principal Georgina Aye sent to families, that said, “We are writing to share the news of the recent arrest of a student who was charged with inappropriately touching other students at school. These incidents involved the student touching students’ buttocks while they were transitioning in the hallways.”

Flores Ortiz was arraigned in Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on March 9 and had a bond hearing on March 11, according to court records. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on April 9.

RELATED: Sexual Assault Charges Against Fairfax HS Student Draw School Board Response

The case has caught the eye of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which said Flores Ortiz is in the country illegally. Patch has requested documentation of the suspect's immigration status from DHS.

Reid said the school district would work with police as the investigation continues, but that it would not share additional details in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and respect student privacy laws.

"All FCPS staff are mandatory reporters and are required to complete annual training on recognizing and reporting concerns related to student safety," she said. "We expect all established procedures to be followed."

Also See ...

• More Charges Filed In Student Sexual Assault Case At Fairfax HS
• 12 Student Sexual Assault Victims Prompt FCPS Investigation
• Sexual Assault Charges Against Fairfax HS Student Draw School Board Response