Indian Wells Man Faces Felony Molestation, Drug Charges

Felony charges were filed today against an Indian Wells man accused of molesting three teenage boys and giving drugs to minors.

Anthony Cornejo Ortiz, 54, pleaded not guilty to the 14-count criminal complaint, in which he is charged with one count each of sodomy with a child under 16, molesting a child under 18, oral copulation with a child under 16 and oral copulation with a child under 18; two counts of a lewd act with a child under 16; and eight counts of furnishing drugs to a minor.

Authorities in La Quinta began investigating Ortiz on July 27, when a 16- year-old boy came forward to allege he was sexually assaulted by a man in La Quinta and Indian Wells between May and July, sheriff’s Sgt. John Hignight said.

Investigators interviewed two other boys, aged 15 and 17, over the next two weeks about similar allegations and arrested Ortiz on Wednesday at his home.

Authorities could not immediately be reached to elaborate on the drug allegations in the criminal complaint.

Ortiz remains in custody at the Indio jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. He is due back at the Larson Justice Center on Aug. 29 for a felony settlement conference.