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Tahoe man admits he sought sex with teenager

Kurt Hildebrand
Record Courier

STATELINE, Nev. — A Lake Tahoe man admitted Monday he brought cocaine and alcohol to a Stateline hotel room for a $300 sexual rendezvous with a 17-year-old girl, who turned out to be a law enforcement officer.

Oscar Ortega

Oscar Ortega, 26, faces 1-5 years in prison at his Feb. 14 sentencing after pleading guilty to attempted use of a child by sexual exploitation. He also faces a fine of up to $10,000.

Ortega will have to undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation which must find that he’s not a high risk to re-offend in order to qualify for probation.



District Judge Tom Gregory made clear that even if he is found not to be a high risk, he might still face prison.

Ortega was arrested July 7 after he made arrangements through a web site being monitored by law enforcement.



Attorney Adam Spicer said Ortega, a wildland firefighter, is a lifelong Tahoe resident. He has been out on his own recognizance with no issues. Prosecutor Matthew Johnson sought supervision by the Department of Alternative Sentencing, saying that the alcohol and drugs raised concerns about Ortega.

Whether Ortega receives probation, he will still have to register as a sex offender.


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