ALAMEDA, Calif. – A Coast Guardsman was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault and other violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice during a general court-martial at Coast Guard Base Alameda November 18-24.
Third Class Electricians Mate Osvaldo Ortega was convicted of abusive sexual contact, aggravated sexual assault, assault consummated by battery, housebreaking, false official statement and unlawful entry. Ortega committed the offenses against two separate victims in 2008 and 2012 while stationed at Coast Guard Base Los Angeles – Long Beach, Calif. A military jury sentenced Ortega to one year of confinement, a bad conduct discharge and reduction to the lowest enlisted pay grade. Under state law, Ortega will also be required to register as a sex offender.
The allegations first surfaced in October 2012 when a Coast Guardsman reported Ortega sexually assaulted her while she was sleeping at a third Coast Guardsman’s off-base apartment in August 2012. The victim made this report immediately following her attendance at a sexual assault prevention workshop at Coast Guard Base Los Angeles – Long Beach. The Coast Guard Investigative Service launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Later in October 2012, Coast Guard investigators learned of alleged sexual assaults of a second Coast Guard victim now stationed on the East Coast. When that victim was contacted, she reported that Ortega sexually assaulted her twice, once in 2008 and again in 2009.
The military jury found that Ortega was not guilty of aggravated sexual assault and wrongful sexual contact stemming from the 2009 incident.
Ortega’s offenses took place off base and off duty near Long Beach, Calif. He was assigned to Coast Guard Base Los Angeles - Long Beach where he worked as a member of the engineering department.
