Joe Alfred Ortiz, found guilty of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 1, Less Than 1 Gram, during his jury trial held in early August has been sentenced to 19 months in prison.
Following the guilty verdict, a pre-sentence investigation was conducted so that 77th District Court Judge Patrick Simmons could determine proper sentencing.
A pre-sentence investigation includes any and all criminal background information being gathered. This information and possible witnesses are presented before the judge during the Sentencing Hearing; and the sentence could include probation or six months to two years in state jail. The outcome is up to the judge’s discretion.
Based on the information gathered on Ortiz, Judge Simmons handed down a 19-month sentence to begin immediately.
