OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An Indiana man is facing federal charges for allegedly traveling to Oshkosh to have sex with a teen.
Authorities arrested 47-year-old Ronald Ortega of Dyer, Indiana on July 6 as part of Operation Kick Boxer, a collaborative effort involving federal and local law enforcement agencies.
Court documents say Ortega began exchanging instant messages with “Lisa,” whom he believed to be the mother of a 15-year-old girl living in Oshkosh.
“Lisa” was in fact a law enforcement officer.
Officials say Ortega expressed repeated interest in engaging in sexual activity with the 15-year-old and looked forward to “taking her virginity.”
According to the complaint, Ortega also sent pornographic images of children to “Lisa” and expressed an interest in digitally recording the sexual intercourse between himself and her child.
Ortega was arrested after leaving the hotel room he booked to meet the child.
Ortega faces charges of using a computer to attempt to persuade, induce, or entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity.
He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to a lifetime of imprisonment if convicted of those charges.