Probation given in car chase

A woman who used her vehicle as a weapon was placed on probation.

Heather L. Ortega, 41, Green River, appeared in the Third District Court at a sentencing hearing to 11 different charges which stemmed from three separate incidents. These charges include seven felonies, which were five aggravated assault and battery charges, two property destruction and defacement charges and four misdemeanor charges, which were possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), duty to stop vehicle where accident involves damage to attended vehicle or property and two counts of failure to maintain liability coverage.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Ortega pleaded guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault and battery, a reduced misdemeanor charge of reckless endangering, a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance and a felony count of property destruction and defacement. All the other charges were dismissed.

For the two felony charges, Ortega was given two four-to-six-year prison sentences, which were suspended. She was placed on four years supervised probation for both, which will run concurrently. For the two misdemeanor charges she was given a 226-day jail sentence with credit given for 226 days served.

Under the probation terms, Ortega has been ordered to have no contact with the victims either directly or through a third party. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,946.59.

According to court documents, on Jan. 5, 2015, a Sweetwater County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of damage at Green River Glass in Jamestown.

Upon arrival, a deputy made contact with Gary Brewer who advised that Ortega hit the building at Green River Glass with her car and then proceeded to ram the vehicle he was in about four times.

The deputy inspected the front and the rear end of Brewer’s car, a 2000 Mercury Sable, for damage and noted the passenger-side mirror was missing a cover off of the mirror. Yeager’s Auto Body conducted a damage estimate and thought it would cost $4,538.28 to repair the damage.

The Green River Glass building was also damaged.

Troy Kelly, who witnessed the alleged crime, told the deputy he saw Ortega ram her vehicle into Brewer’s vehicle.

Ortega was also interviewed by a deputy, and she said that she recalled sending a text to Brewer prior to going to Green River Glass. Ortega said the text said something about how she was going to cause a show. She told the deputy she then drove to Green River Glass and when she arrived at Green River Glass she hit the building with her car; and then hit Brewer’s car at least once in the rear end and at least twice in the front with her car.

On Feb. 18, 2015, Ortega once again used her 2003 BMW to ram into Brewer’s vehicle after they had an argument. Brewer said she had been following him while he was on his bicycle, but he was able to make it to his car. Once Brewer got in his car he drove away from Ortega, but as he was driving Ortega side-swiped his car with hers. He was able to drive away and parked his car when Ortega hit the front of his vehicle with her car. Brewer accelerated to push her vehicle off of his. After succeeding in doing this, he parked in front of his residence. He got out of his car, kicked her car and spat on it while Ortega was still in it. Ortega then tried to run him over with her car. After that, she parked her car in front of his. Ortega’s car had to be towed.

Officers found a glass pipe and a powdery substance residue inside the car, which tested positive for meth. Ortega also admitted to not having insurance.

 

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