An El Paso magistrate judge issued a “no driving” ban for a 19-year-old man accused of placing the safety of juveniles at risk by driving recklessly in a park in the Segundo Barrio.
El Paso Police Department officers arrested Fernando Ortiz on a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving after stopping his vehicle with guns drawn on Friday, June 5, near Armijo Park, 710 E. Seventh Ave., a prosecutor said during a teleconference bond hearing on Sunday, June 7.
Assistant District Attorney Veronica Vallejo explained at the hearing that officers responded to the area near the park regarding a fight involving students.
When police got to the scene, officers allegedly observed Ortiz driving at an “excessive speed,” placing “juveniles in jeopardy” due to the amount of people crossing the street, Vallejo said, citing a police complaint affidavit.
When police attempted a traffic stop, Ortiz allegedly “accelerated even more and revving up the engine and the officers eventually had to draw their weapons for him to come to a stop,” Vallejo said, adding that there were about 50 juveniles at the scene.
The name of the students’ school was not disclosed.
Judge: ‘No driving. Period.’
At the hearing, Magistrate Judge Ray Duke decided to release Ortiz on a $500 personal recognizance bond, meaning Ortiz did not have to post any money to get out of jail with the stipulation that Ortiz is not allowed to drive. Judges can set various conditions as part of the terms of release.
“No driving. Period. No driving. I cannot stress this enough,” Duke told Ortiz. “No driving at all. I don’t care if you have a driver’s license. Until this case is disposed of, there will be no driving.”
When public defense attorney Rafael C. Morales asked whether Ortiz, who has no criminal record, could at least be allowed to drive to his job as a mechanic, Duke replied, “No driving. He can take a bus. He can walk. He can take a bicycle.”
Ortiz commented he could get a ride to work. An El Paso County Jail log shows Ortiz was released from the Downtown jail on Sunday.
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Judge orders ‘no driving’ for teen accused of recklessness at park
Reporting by Daniel Borunda, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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By Daniel Borunda, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
