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Parents, activists decry Cook County sex offender's sentence
Parents and activists are upset with the Cook County judicial system, claiming a registered sex offender received what they said is just "a slap on the wrist."
CHICAGO - Parents and activists are upset with the Cook County judicial system, claiming a registered sex offender received what they said was just "a slap on the wrist."
Byron Ortega was a dance instructor at Roosevelt High School when he was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old and sexually abusing a 14-year-old.
"This scumbag received 30 months of probation when, in fact, he should be in prison for 30 years for the atrocities he has done to two young boys while as a dance instructor at Theodore Roosevelt High School," said Patrick Gibbons, a community activist.
Activists said Cook County prosecutors dropped five sexual abuse charges and 10 child pornography counts in a plea deal with Ortega.
We've reached out to Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for comment but have not heard back.