According to court documents filed by the Sioux Center Police, officers arrested 27-year-old Jose Hernandez Ortiz on Saturday.
An officer’s report states Hernandez Ortiz was operating a vehicle while not in compliance with sex offender registry requirements. His Iowa driving status was revoked, and the required ignition interlock device was not installed. The report says Hernandez Ortiz showed signs of impairment, including a strong odor of alcoholic beverage, bloodshot and watery eyes, and impaired balance, and he allegedly failed standardized field sobriety tests. A preliminary breath test reportedly showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.159—nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08.
Hernandez Ortiz was charged with operating while intoxicated, third or subsequent offense, and violation of sex offender registration requirements, second or subsequent offense—both Class D felonies. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison on each charge. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of driving while his license was denied or revoked.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 20th.
Hernandez Ortiz was booked into the Sioux County Jail and was released Monday after posting a $5,000 cash or surety bond.
