Imperial Beach aide pleads not guilty to sex crimes involving 17-year-old Mar Vista student

Mar Vista High School File photo courtesy of Sweetwater Union High School District A woman who allegedly engaged in sex acts with a -year-old male apprentice while working as a campus aide at an Imperial Beach high school pleaded not guilty Friday to five felony counts Lisette Veles Ortega an employee of an outside contractor used by Mar Vista High School was arrested Wednesday two days after the alleged crimes were announced according to bureaucrats She faces up to five years in state prison if convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor oral copulation with a minor and attending an arranged illicit meeting with a minor The criminal complaint states the alleged crimes occurred in April and May of this year Ortega remains in custody on bail but a deputy citizens defender sought to revisit her bail status at a future date If she s issued from custody Ortega was ordered by a judge to stay away from the victim and at the prosecution s request stay away from all schools Deputy District Attorney Alex Willett also requested that she submit to law enforcement searches of her phone because that was the primary method used to contact the victim At the time Ortega was working for a company called Ro Healthcare sheriff s Lt Patrick Fox explained The company s website states it is a clinical staffing and home strength agency that helps staff nurses at schools correctional facilities and for private home care In a announcement the company declared At Ro Strength safety is our top priority It is our privilege to serve the medically fragile population and we are committed to doing so with the highest degree of care As such we take these accusations extremely seriously We are doing everything we can to investigate the issue and to respond appropriately The message also indicated its employee screening process includes background checks that utilize fingerprint clearance through the FBI and Department of Justice The Sweetwater Union High School District mentioned in a comment that it was aware of an inquiry involving a contracted vendor and is fully cooperating with law enforcement throughout this process City News Provision contributed to this article