Man Repeatedly Assaulted, Intimidated Girlfriend In Lower Bucks Co.: DA

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — A Philadelphia man has been sentenced for repeatedly assaulting his girlfriend and attempting to intimidate her into not testifying against him, authorities said.

Anthony Ortiz, 34, faces 4 1/2 years to 13 years in state prison after pleading guilty on Tuesday before Common Pleas Judge Stephen A. Corr to charges including strangulation, intimidation of witnesses, unlawful restraint, simple assault, harassment, and recklessly endangering another person, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said

Corr also ordered Ortiz to undergo domestic violence supervision, have no contact with the victims, and complete a mental health evaluation.

The charges stemmed from three domestic assaults that occurred in June, July, and August 2024, authorities said.

On June 29, 2024, Falls Township Police responded to a domestic assault where Ortiz was found assaulting his girlfriend and her juvenile son.

The girlfriend sustained bruising to her eye and face, along with a lump on her head, while the juvenile suffered scratches and abrasions when intervening, authorities said.

In a separate incident on July 21, 2024, in Bensalem Township, Ortiz struck his girlfriend twice in the face and prevented her from exiting a vehicle and a Wawa store, as captured by surveillance video.

Later, on August 25, 2024, Falls Township Police responded to another incident where Ortiz attacked his girlfriend in a car while driving to work, authorities said.

During the assault, he punched, slapped, choked her, and repeatedly stabbed her with a vape pen, causing extensive bruising and visible marks on her throat, authorities said.

The assaults stemmed from Ortiz accusing the victim of infidelity.

Ortiz also repeatedly contacted the victim before preliminary hearings in September 2024, pressuring her not to appear or testify.

He sent messages instructing her to tell the authorities she “didn’t want to press charges in the first place,” and urged her to “stand your ground and tell them … I'm not taking no stand, I’m not testifying, like nothing, I’m not doing none of that.”

He also threatened her with repercussions if she testified. The victim subsequently failed to appear for a scheduled hearing.