Ex-Sarasota Officer’s Battery and Database Cases Combined for October 29 Hearing

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A former Sarasota Police officer will face both of his criminal cases together on October 29 at 1:30 p.m. in a Sarasota County courtroom. Gabriel Ornellas-Victorio, 39, is charged with misdemeanor battery on a minor and two counts of violating public records law, and his defense indicated it hopes to resolve both matters at that hearing.

The battery charge stems from an alleged incident on April 23, when investigators say Ornellas-Victorio kissed an underage high school student against her will in his vehicle. He had met her at the bakery where she worked. The public records charges center on his use of DAVID, a restricted law enforcement database. Prosecutors say he searched the teen’s parents and at least two other women who were not under investigation, including a 22-year-old whose vehicle records, home address, and phone number he allegedly obtained before calling her repeatedly. Investigators also say he asked her and a friend not to cooperate with police.

Ornellas-Victorio was arrested April 30, posted $5,000 bond on May 4, and pleaded not guilty. He appeared virtually in court Tuesday as attorneys agreed to combine the two cases.

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