The man who allegedly barricaded himself in a garage and then tried to flee law enforcement earlier this week was already in trouble with the law. Now Abel Ortiz faces a new raft of charges in Lyon County District Court, including one you rarely hear mentioned.
Ortiz faces the unusual charge of aggravated failure to appear along with single counts of possession of methamphetamine, obstruction and battery on a law enforcement officer. Typically, failure to appear does not reach aggravated status, although that option exists for prosecutors if somebody out on bond does not appear for their original court date and then “fails to surrender” to law enforcement within 30 days of that court date.
Ortiz was originally sought on a warrant dating back to what law enforcement officers say were a pair of October incidents dealing with drug sales. Formal drug distribution charges were filed in February.
Ortiz, however, has drug-related convictions in Lyon County dating back to 1992. He has also been convicted of theft and obstruction in separate cases.
Ortiz allegedly barricaded himself into a garage at 118 Sylvan, a block east of Sacred Heart School, on Tuesday. He then tried to leave the scene but was arrested by Emporia Police officers and Lyon County deputies.
