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Bellingham man pleads not guilty to attempted rape

Bellingham man pleads not guilty to attempted rape

Photo: KGMI


BELLINGHAM, WA – (KGMI.com) A Bellingham man has pleaded not guilty to attempted rape as police continue to search for other potential victims.

Bellingham Police arrested 27-year-old Julio Ortiz-Ortiz on November 22 after an incident where he is alleged to have tried to sexually assault a man and trap him in his home.

He was bailed out of custody less than a week after his arrest.

Police say Ortiz-Ortiz has a history of predatory behavior targeting vulnerable men, including the homeless and those under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

Ortiz-Ortiz’s truck. Image courtesy of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators believe Ortiz-Ortiz has victimized at least five other people.

His status hearing has been set for January 31 and his trial is scheduled to begin on February 26.

Bellingham Police are asking anyone with information of other incidents involving Ortiz-Ortiz to call their non-emergency dispatch line at 360-676-6911.

 

 

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