BIDDEFORD, Maine (AP) A New York City man acquitted of murder in a drug-related killing is now facing a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The new complaint was filed Wednesday, the same day Timothy Ortiz was due to be released following his acquittal in a killing two years ago in Biddeford. Ortiz claimed he acted in self-defense.
Defense attorney Luke Rioux said the timing suggests federal officials are acting “not in some sudden need to enforce federal law but in response to Monday’s murder acquittal.”
After the shooting, Ortiz was originally detained for a probation violation related to sex trafficking and drug charges. He was due to be released on the probation violation on Wednesday. Instead, he made an appearance before a federal magistrate.
