A Village of Sabal Chase woman has been sentenced for using her Volvo as a battering ram and then months later screaming profanities at a neighbor who had been deposed in the case.
Janet Ortiz, 66, had been accused this past October of using her Volvo as a battering to move her boyfriend’s car out of her driveway at her home on Magrath Way. You can read about the original arrest in that case HERE
In February, Ortiz reportedly went to a home on Feliciana Terrace and started screaming profanities at her neighbor. Ortiz asked the woman, “Why don’t you mind your own business?,” according to the report. The woman had been deposed in the Volvo incident, to which she had been a witness. The day before, Ortiz allegedly yelled at another individual in a similar fashion, and that person responded, “I don’t even know you,” according to the arrest report. It is believed that Ortiz had mistaken the identity of that person. She then refused to cooperate with a deputy who tried to place her under arrest. You can read more about that case HERE
She faced charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief, witness tampering and resisting an officer.
Represented by the firm Conan & Herman, Ortiz was able to bargain a deal in which she pleaded no contest to charges of criminal mischief, witness tampering and resisting an officer, while the felony charge of aggravated assault with deadly weapon was dropped.
Ortiz will serve one year of probation.
In 2011, Ortiz had been convicted of driving under the influence, according to Sumter County Court records. She was placed on probation for one year, her driver’s license was revoked for six months, she was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service and she was told by the judge to stay away from alcohol and bars.
