High Desert Swim and Track Coach Arrested for Sex with Minor

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VICTORVILLE – A former swim and track coach in the High Desert area was arrested for having sex with a minor authorities said.

On April 25, 2018, at around 7:34 a.m. the Hesperia Police received a report regarding a missing 15-year-old Hesperia boy. Before the deputy responded, the boy returned home and told his family he was picked up by an unknown man as he was walking in the City of Victorville. The boy said that the suspect, later identified as 58-year-old Steven Lawrence Ortiz, offered him a ride to a homeless shelter, but decided to take him to his home in the 13600 block of Dean Avenue in the City of Victorville instead. “The suspect and victim drank alcohol and then engaged in sexual acts,” said Victorville Station spokeswoman Mara Rodriguez in the news release. “The victim remained at the suspect’s house until the next morning when the suspect drove him back home.”

An investigation into the allegations immediately began leading to a search warrant being served at Ortiz’ home on Thursday, May 10, 2018. Following the search, Ortiz was detained and transported to the Victorville Police Department for an interview. He was then arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center for sexual intercourse with a minor and sodomy. He is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Authorities are releasing a photo, as they believe there may be additional victims since Ortiz was a swim and a track coach for multiple High Desert schools, most recently Granite Hills High School. Apple Valley Unified School District released a statement regarding the arrest. “Apple Valley Unified School District is aware of last night’s arrest of a Granite Hills High School walk-on track and cross country coach,” the news release said. “According to the Sheriff Investigator, the alleged victim is not a student at Granite Hills High School. We have no further information regarding this case. If anyone has more information, please contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.”

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective S. Boydston at the Victorville Police Department, (760) 241-2911. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.