27-year-old Elias Ortiz III, a man known for saying few words, spoke volumes through his actions after committing a violent robbery spree only two months after he was released from prison.
Judge Pat Wolke sentenced Ortiz to 13 years and four months in prison today after Ortiz pled guilty to first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, second-degree assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Ortiz with his alleged accomplices, Crystal Ann Anders and Zara Thomas, entered a home in the 200 block of Rogue River Avenue on May 17 and held Destiny Ridenour and Keenan Gardner at gunpoint, with Ridenour’s own gun, while they looted the residence. Deputy District Attorney Lisa Turner stated that Anders and Thomas, who allegedly schemed the burglary turned robbery, brought Ortiz along as “the heavy” who would intimidate the victims.
Several days later Ortiz robbed Jennifer Shepherd and Thomas Williams at knifepoint. Shepherd and Wiliiams met Ortiz on May 23 on N.W. Valley View Drive to sell him Oxycodone. Ortiz sliced Williams in the throat, grabbed the drugs and when Shepherd fled he chased her with a second knife. She escaped uninjured but Williams had to be treated at the hospital for the wound.
Turner said Ortiz has a long criminal history and had just been released from prison after serving five years on a first-degree robbery charge out of Jackson County. She added that he is known Norteno gang member, has a long history of violence and his actions no longer warranted leniency. Ortiz could have been sentenced to 500 months in prison if a plea deal hadn’t been agreed upon.
Ortiz spoke just two words when Wolke asked him if he had anything to say, “Not really.”
Anders and Thomas are still awaiting their sentencing hearings.
