Suffolk County DA: Youth Coach Charged with Child Rape

A former youth baseball coach from the surrounding area has been charged with raping one of his young players, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said in a press release Tuesday. 

Jose "Brujo" Ortega, 42, of Roslindale, who was already convicted of child enticement, was arraigned on Dec. 11 in West Roxbury District Court on aggravated rape of a child, indecent assault and battery on a child and indecent assault and battery, according to Tuesday's statement. 

"Too often, the young victims of sexual abuse are afraid or ashamed to come forward," Conley said in the statement. "As adults, we can lose sight of how difficult it can be for a child to discuss something so frightening. Parents and caregivers should know that we approach these cases with sensitivity and discretion to protect the victims from further harm, and I would urge them to let their kids know that they won't get in trouble for disclosing something that makes them uncomfortable."

Allegations arose after Ortega was charged with three counts of enticement of a child for his behavior with another young player back in 2012, according to Conley's statement. He was then subsequently sentenced to 18 months in a house of correction, followed by three years of probation for sending that victim, a teenage boy, messages of a sexual nature through Facebook, as well as having other forms of inappropriate contact with him, though not physical, according to the statement. 

Judge Michael Coyne imposed a $250,000 cash bail at the request of Assistant District Attorney Laura Montgomery, who told the court that Ortega was the manager of the Boston Broncos youth baseball league. Ortega then preyed on the victim, beginning when the boy was 12 or 13 years old, according to the statement.