20-Year-Old Arrested in Connection with Allegations of Sexual Assault Involving Child
- Steve Jurrens
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - A Watertown man is facing several felony charges following allegations of sexual assault involving a minor child. Rogelio Elvis Ventura Ortley, 20, was arrested after an investigation by the Watertown Police Department into incidents reported in late December 2025.
Investigation and Arrest
The investigation began on December 25, 2025, when officers were called to a residence on 3rd Avenue NE. According to court documents, an 8-year-old child disclosed to her parents that she had been sexually assaulted by Ortley, who is the fiancé of the victim’s older sister.
The victim’s father reported to police that Ortley had been visiting the home for Christmas when the incident occurred. During the visit, Ortley allegedly went upstairs to check on the victim in her bedroom. The victim later told her parents and a forensic interviewer that Ortley engaged in several acts of illegal sexual contact.
During an interview with law enforcement, Ortley initially denied the allegations but later admitted to touching the victim and engaging in sexual contact. Detective Sigurd Sivertson noted in the probable cause statement that Ortley’s accounts of the evening shifted during questioning.
Formal Charges and Court Proceedings
On December 29, 2025, a Codington County Grand Jury issued an indictment against Ortley. The charges include:
· Two counts of First Degree Rape (Class C Felony), involving a victim less than 13 years of age.
· Two counts of Sexual Contact with a Child (Class 3 Felony), involving a victim under the age of 16 and an offender more than five years older than the victim.
The multiple counts stem from two separate disclosures by the victim: one regarding the incident on Christmas Day and another involving a similar occurrence on an unspecified earlier date.
Ortley is currently being held at the Codington County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond. An initial appearance was held on January 13, 2026, and an arraignment has been scheduled for March 11, 2026, at 1:15 PM.
