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| Miguel Angel Ortiz |
By Tim McGlone
The Virginian-Pilot
After fleeing poverty in his native Uruguay, Miguel Angel Ortiz settled in Hampton Roads and established himself as an expert welder. He formed his own business and obtained shipyard contracts worth more than $1 million.
Married with three children, the youngest about 10 months old, he had been living in a stately waterfront home in Virginia Beach. Two full-size bronze lions were perched out front near a four-tier fountain. He drove a Hummer and had a spare in the driveway.
Ortiz built this life using someone else’s identity and after racking up an extensive arrest record in this country.
His case raises new questions about how an illegal immigrant who served jail time had not only remained in the country undetected but built a corporation and amassed wealth.
Through interviews and court records, including Ortiz’s confession, The Virginian-Pilot uncovered the life of a man who exploited loopholes in the immigration system and skirted detection – until this year.
Ortiz was arrested in April after he applied to have his passport renewed under the name Alfredo Rivera Jr. The State Department began investigating after determining that the picture on the passport did not match the picture of Rivera in the agency’s files. Ortiz’s life has since unraveled.
After pleading guilty in May to identity theft charges, Ortiz was sentenced Aug. 20 in Norfolk’s U.S. District Court to 27 months in prison. Upon release, he will be processed for deportation.
Ortiz, 41, first arrived in the United States from Uruguay in 1987. He left and returned, illegally, in 1992.
To remain in the country, Ortiz bought a birth certificate and Social Security card in 1996 for $8,000 in New York, according to court records. Ortiz assumed the identity of Alfredo Rivera Jr., the name on the documents. At the time, the real Rivera was living in New York. It’s unclear from the records whether the two men know each other or whether Rivera ever found out his identity was stolen. He could not be located.
Ortiz obtained a passport in Rivera’s name and moved to Virginia Beach, where he began dating Gloria Hill, who comes from a family of Ford plant workers.
His first brush with the law came in 1998 when Virginia Beach police arrested him on a car-theft charge. The case eventually was dropped. A check of his fingerprints never revealed his true identity.
Ortiz and Hill moved to Florida, where they married in 1999. Ortiz listed his true identity on the marriage license, but he never used the marriage to try and get U.S. citizenship.
But there were troubles in the marriage. Ortiz was arrested three times on domestic violence and child abuse charges. In a 2000 case, he was accused of trying to kick his pregnant wife and threatening to kill her. The case was later dropped, but he was arrested again the following year on charges of beating his 5-month-old daughter. He was convicted of that charge, but it is unclear from court records whether he served time.
In 2002, his wife called police again to report that her husband had punched, choked and scratched her. Ortiz fled the scene and led police on a chase. On arrest reports, sheriff’s deputies noted that Ortiz had a distinctive tattoo on his chest that read, “Property of God.”
In all of the Florida arrests, Ortiz used his true identity. But it wasn’t until at least his fourth arrest that immigration authorities stepped in. In August 2003, after serving six months in jail in the 2002 domestic violence case, Ortiz was deported to Uruguay.
About six months later, Ortiz sneaked back into the United States and reunited with his family, who had moved back to Virginia Beach. He reverted to his old identity: Alfredo Rivera Jr.
A trained welder, Ortiz quickly found work at local shipyards. But in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks, security had been tightened and the yards were requiring background checks on its employees.
Ortiz found a way around that: In 2004, he started his own business, Virginia Welding and Fabrication Inc., and walked into Colonna’s Shipyard looking for contract work.
Steven Walker, Colonna’s vice president for operations, remembered Ortiz, or Rivera as he knew him, as a hard worker. The company hired him as a subcontractor for various jobs repairing tugboats, barges, fishing boats and other vessels. Ortiz had his own crew.
Shipyards are required to check employees’ Social Security numbers through a federal database. As a subcontractor, Ortiz was required to conduct background checks on his own employees and file the paperwork with Colonna’s. Walker said all he’s required to do is keep the paperwork on file.
“My impression of Miguel, or Alfredo, was that he was one of those guys that if you had a problem at midnight he was there,” Walker said. “There was nothing from a personal or a business perspective that I ever had a problem with Alfredo.”
He continued, “He was very friendly, very outgoing. I’ve never in my time of knowing him had one of his employees complain. I thought Alfredo, as I knew him, was an American success story.”
Ortiz planned carefully to keep his true identity a secret. In his business incorporation papers, he listed his wife as president. His own name doesn’t appear.
The State Corporation Commission terminated the company’s incorporation in January 2006 for not filing an annual report. Yet the company continued operating. State records show Ortiz started a second company that year, called Alfredo & Guys Welding and Ship Repair.
Ken Schrad, commission director, said that even if Ortiz had registered the company in his own name, there’s no requirement that the commission check citizenship status.
“There’s no law that says you have to be a citizen of the U.S. or a resident of Virginia to incorporate in Virginia,” he said.
Sen. Kenneth Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, said passing such a law would be “problematic” because the state wants to encourage foreign investors.
Localities, on the other hand, are required to ask a business license applicant to prove citizenship and can deny a license to anyone who can’t, according to Attorney General Bob McDonnell.
Chief Deputy Eric Schmudde of the Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue said nothing can be done by his office about cases such as Ortiz, who licensed his businesses in his wife’s name and previously in the name of an associate. Both are U.S. citizens.
Ortiz’s companies had Virginia Beach business licenses in 2005 and 2006.
Gloria Ortiz did not return messages and her lawyer, James Broccoletti, declined to comment.
Over the past several years, Miguel Ortiz obtained more than $1 million in shipyard contracts and paid himself more than $100,000 a year in salary, according to federal prosecutors.
In addition to their two 2006 Hummers, Ortiz and his wife obtained a 2007 Harley-Davidson, a 2006 van, a 2005 Ford pickup and a 2007 Mercedes, which alone cost about $87,000 new. The government has since seized the vehicles and will sell them at auction.
The couple also obtained a mortgage for their home, which they purchased in 2005 for $675,000, and have been making $4,000 monthly mortgage payments. The home in the Wesleyan area abuts Lake Lawson and the Cypress Point Country Club.
Ortiz also traveled extensively, yet his identification was never questioned at airports. He had obtained a passport in 1996 under Rivera’s name, but with his own photograph on it.
Last September, the State Department noticed that the original passport photo for Rivera did not match the photo Ortiz submitted.
Later, the department ran fingerprint records of Rivera, which revealed a match for both names. Further investigation uncovered Ortiz’s hidden life, according to court records.
On April 18, Ortiz’s wife called Virginia Beach police to report that her husband had attacked her. She declined to press charges, but told police her husband was in the country illegally, using someone else’s name.
By then, federal authorities were ready to arrest Ortiz, which they did on April 27. He confessed and has been in jail since then. He pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and falsifying a passport application.
At Ortiz’s sentencing last month, a federal prosecutor detailed Ortiz’s litany of deceit and asked for the maximum punishment under federal guidelines.
“He is someone who is intelligent, he’s hardworking, he’s resourceful and he’s determined,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Krask told the judge. “Those normally are good adjectives to say about someone.
“But I think in adjudging Mr. Ortiz’s potential to commit this crime again,’’ he continued, Ortiz “presents a strong likelihood that he’s going to try and come into the United States after he’s done with this court.”
Groups seeking better enforcement of immigration laws said that the Ortiz case is indicative of the need for an improved identification system – one that relies on fingerprints or DNA.
“It’s really going to be the only way we’re going to” stop illegal immigrants like Ortiz, said Bob Dane, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform.
Still, he called it “odd” that Ortiz was not captured sooner, given all the run-ins with law enforcement and his numerous business filings.
“It sounds like he was quite an entrepreneur,” he said.
Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343,
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This guy is a scumbag, but he had major help from Republicans
You cant do all of this without help from government officals who happen to be republican. It obvious!! If I as an African American(or a white american) tried to obtain contracts, I would be jumping through hoops. This is from experience not just blurting out things that I think or have an opinion on. Maybe he was cheap labor? But I doubt that greatly because on record he was a citizen of the states.He was a hard worker without a doubt and a good business man. You can blame illegals for the problems but if you take time and research the issue without being racist you will realize that thepeople in charge are really the problem.The reason illegals are allowed to do what they do is because of big business and government.Starts at the top
Oh come on.....
Being an illegal alien and being honest and hardworking is a contradiction of terms. If they are trustworthy then they need to obey the rules. Enforcing law and order and public safety is not racism. Bleeding hearts are those who employ the illegals for slave wages and traffic in person. To make a better life for their families, the illegals need to stop committing fraud and deceit. The only true political agenda is one that was written in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution - We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. Be not afraid.
We don't have a crisis, we have a problem
Conservatives would have a hard time getting people worked up about this non-issue if they couldn't demonize illegals. That's why they need you to believe that most are like Ortiz. For those who have a working brain, do you think every alien who has snuck over the border is evil and plotting a life of crime? Get serious. They're just poor people trying to make a better living. If our immigration laws made sense, they wouldn't have to sneak over our borders. But they don't. The fact is these aliens are doing jobs most Americans sneer at. They work hard and they try to stay off the radar. They contribute as much to the economy as they take out. "What part of illegal..." is just a simplistic slogan. But that and lies are all the far right has.
No defense of Ortiz, but ...
The exception does not prove the rule. It's like reading the bile here and deciding that the angry and meanspirited people who regularly post on this web site represent the people of Hampton Roads. Like most Americans, undocumented aliens are hard-working and honest. They are just trying to make a better life for their families. Until conservatives decided to make them an issue to distract us from the really serious problems facing this country, including a massive deficit and the war, they existed under the radar as one of the economy's silent supports. And painting an entire class of people with the same brush because it suits your political agenda is racism at its worse. - The bleeding heart you have been waiting for.
Check to see if he's made political contributions...
...and bought off local politicians. What about whether or not he paid taxes and the taxes for any employees? This story needs a serious follow-up, as it appears it's rather easy to gain wealth if you ignore the laws of this land and if local and national government authorities ignore your lawbreaking. Maybe more US Citizens should follow his lead?
"Live Passionately in Virginia" Hum
This man, his actions, and our laws regarding illegal immiigrants makes me want to throw up.
keep his family together??
funny post by 'Brett'. yeah, you know, the guy who called the posters 'dip-sticks', etc.. for criticizing this criminal. and mentioned that he should get to stay here and keep his family together?...um, he doesn't really sound like he's that much of a family man...maybe compared to Brett, he is.
Sounds like a good investment...
...8,000 dollars gets you an I.D., million dollar contracts, house on the water worth half a million, etc. etc. Where do I sign up for this "American dream"? I'm a hard worker, I bet I can out weld and out work any illegal immigrants on my worst day, and I promise not to beat my wife and kids.
Show me the money! Also, I wonder how many "hard workers" he helped obtain false I.D.'s once he had all this money? Deport not support!
Illegal Alien
Is better to be Illegal Aliens than legal or citizen in this country. Seem like the illegal always get away with almost everything while the legal and the citizen has to pay the price for it. No wounder we are so broke - we have to pay the illegal for everything. Should send the bill to their country. Lately is seem like every illegal are the mexican/hispanic. I think the this country need to do something about it before it get out of hand or is already. out of hand.
Are you kidding me??
Are there really a few people on here actually defending this guy??? This man illegally came here, stole someone's identity, stole cars, beat his wife and kids...and I am sure there is much more we don't know. Still there are a few people sticking up for this moron. Unreal is all that comes to mind. These poeple need to be rounded up and deported off with the illegals. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if they themselves are illegals. Only that type of idiot would have the audacity to defend this guy.
Sick to my Stomach
This guy was convicted of beating a 5 month old. That means he beat a teeny, tiny little baby. why why why is he still here?
Stolid Stolle's Pitiful Politicizing
Senator Stolle's careless comment, "passing such a law would be 'problematic' because the state wants to encourage foreign investors" is pathetic. Okay Senator, that's great & while we're at it, let's justify Felonious Foreigners. Our law leaders are to blame for this imbecilic & illegal immigrant activity, which inevitably leads to more destructive lawless acts. This crimnal (whatever his real name is) not only "beats" our legal system, but he "beats" his family too. Hey Stolle - Virginia is for Lovers!
Can't Believe These Bleeding Hearts
See here people saying he should be allowed to stay, when doing that he has done has been legal. Everything since 1987 he has broken the laws of the US.Came here illegally more than once, beat his spouse and child against the law.Worked in shipyards illegally, formed his companies illegally, bought SSN and birth certificates against the law.Didn't provide his info used someone elses and used his wifes name to form his companies.You bleeding hearts say he should stay.When he gets done serving his time he will be deported regardless if he is married or not as he came here illegally and made sure to maintain his illegal statis throughout his time here.So get his Uraquain butt out when his time is served.Just made vacancy for someone else.
No surprise here...
Why is everyone so surprised...it's known all over that Virginia Beach is a "Sanctuary City." We welcomed him with open arms...
Security? Surely You Jest
Security, what a joke. I just returned from visiting supposedly a highly secured building in Washington DC. I passed through a metal detector with my car keys in my pocket, and no alarm sounded. My coworker remarked that if they turned on the metal detector, they might have to work. Again, security is not what it's supposed to be.
Ortiz is soooo not a real American!
I have seen many of Alex G.'s posts concerning illegals and he always favors them no matter what they do. Ortiz was not just illegal, but he stole identities and also attacked his wife and Alex says let him stay? He thinks our country is just about the economy and is a very misguided gentleman. Our nation is also a nation of laws and pride, which he seems to have forgotten. Maybe one day an illegal will steal Alex's identity and then see how it affects him. If Ortiz were so intelligent, then how hard would it be to spend a little effort with checking in at the front door? I would have no problem with Ortiz if he was here legally and obeyed laws but he did neither. Illegal means illegal so lock him up for years and then deport him!
Not a very good year
If your last name is Ramos.
The guy is a real un-american
Illegal, wife beater, bought a SSN and birth certificate. A real American? LOL. A real fraud...not a real American. It amazes me that people can work so hard yet they can't apply the same resourcefulness towards gaining legal citizenship.
illegal
The end does not justify the means. Of course, (most) llegals are here trying to better themselves. But this guy stole the identity of someone. As a US citizen, that is troubling and should be troubling to all US citizens, whether you're hispanic or otherwise. I am not against mmigration....I'm against illegal immigration. Big ifference, but does not seem to make sense to all the lefties and bleeding heart liberals.
Unfortunate
Unfortunatly all this great undercover investigation etc, just doesn't matter. He is married to a US citizen so he will do his time (again) and be back on the streets with a green card. Odds are he will be right back at the yard in a few years.
He took a legal person's place
and he should be deported with only his shoes,pants,and shirt. All of the posessions that were obtained under false pretenses should be sold and the money put in a fund to track illegal immigrants and deport them. I would like to know how much this illegal paid in taxes....some that have commented assumed he paid his taxes...probably a false assumption. Can the paper find out his tax bill and take a look at his tax returns and make this information know to us readers??
Come on now.....
this guy paid more taxes than most? All the taxes he paid is now being used to prosecute him. They are illegal aliens, not immigrants. The real world is filled more with motivated illegals but not really more skilled. The naturalization process does not guarantee good citizens, illegals with violent tendencies are even worse. Illegals taking advantage of the U.S. health care and welfare systems are the real dipsticks. With his criminal background, I hope he never qualifies for citizenship, unless you want a madman rampaging through your homes assaulting you and your family. He ran an illegal business which I hope will never be legalized. This is truly the land of illegal opportunities. Illegal is illegal, not just Latinos.
Ortiz
This guy should not be allowed to stay in this country!
He came in, stole someones identity, and continued to commit crimes and stay here.
He should be deported. To whomever believes he should be allowed to stay here and work with his family is wrong.
This guy is a real American
He is a maverick. He just wanted to work and he got his job and built his business because he was good at it. In the American tradition he found the loopholes and bent the rules to get ahead. If you read about great Americans, they all had to do something creative to get ahead. True Americans go to the limit, do their best and whatever it takes to succeed. Most places hire the best qualified at the lowest price...its called capilalism. When you hire on citizenship & other than skill ahead of profit motive,thats communist. The best no matter where there from should get rewarded & the union guys are too expensive & do bad work need to go. Look what unions did to detroit! The man contributed to our economy & helped his boss, let him stay!
Well well well.....
Wait a minute, what was that about him being hard working? Well there are also alot of hard working illegal Italians, Germans, Chinese, Korean, Africans etc. etc. etc. Guess what they all have in common other than being hard working? Being illegal! Kick all of them out too!
Iam one of those....
I am one of those "Ellis Island" immigrants just as my sisters and brothers are. But for my father, who was a "Freedom Fighter" who was caught along with his family "us", and put into holding camps, beaten everyday until he had 1 tooth left (he was in his 30's), and his tenacity to get us to America, we all would still be in europe. The love for his family brought us here, legally. We went through the system, learned to speak perfect english, became naturalized proud americans. I am sick over the fact that the president is now handing over America to the mexicans without a fight. The mexican president stated, there are no borders or law when it comes to mexicans, for the USA belongs to them now and always. Law does not pertain to illegals!
Illegals get more respect than citizens
I am a small contractor and it is sad to say, but an illegal alien can come in and get a contract without a background check but when you are an african american female, you get alot scrutiny when doing contracts that are mostly work done by men. I guess we have not learned our lesson when it comes to homeland security.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert's quote should read:
"He is someone who is intelligent, he's hardworking, he's resourceful and he's determined [to beat his wife and child into submission]".
Holy cow!
The ugly truth about one illegal immigrant, published here, by the Pliot?! I am slightly impressed. Well, not really. Now, tell us the true stories of urban emergency rooms filled with immigrants, many illegal, as they have been on the few occasions that I've visited, describing how these people feel entitled to our health care, even demand it, some even coming to the US for services, then leaving. Tell us about the prisons being filled with illegal immigrants, many in for violent crimes, not deported, but supported, by the US taxpayers. Give us the reality about the burden of illegal immigration, not the same old politically correct diversion about poor children who will suffer if we send their illegal mommas home.
get a grip
Most folks around here are ignorant of what the real world is like. Uncle Sugar pays most folks mortgages in this area! This is typical of most Latinos that make it to VA. They work Hard and generally more skilled than our own citizens. This guy paid more taxes than most of you dip-sticks with negative comments and deserves an opportunity to continue his business and pay taxes. The government is wrong to not give this guy a chance to pay his dept to society, keep his FAMILY together, become a citizen and continue his business. This is the land of opportunity.