PEORIA, AZ (AZFamily) — A Phoenix man was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison after a violent carjacking in Peoria in 2022, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona.
Adonijah Ortega, 23, was sentenced on Sept. 3 to 171 months (14.25 years) in prison.
Prosecutors said on Aug. 8, 2022, Ortega approached a man in a Peoria business parking lot near 91st and Northern avenues and demanded money and the vehicle’s keys. A physical fight began and Ortega hit the victim in the head several times with a pistol and shot him in the leg. Ortega left in the victim’s vehicle and later tried to set it on fire by dousing it in gasoline and shooting at it.
The victim was able to walk to a business to get help.
Ortega was found three days later at an apartment complex. He was charged with carjacking and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to the charges.
“Violent perpetrators like Mr. Ortega should know there is no safe place for them in Arizona because we won’t rest until we see them behind bars,” said United States Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Our office is committed to the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods because it is an initiative that continues to see results.”
Project Safe Neighborhoods is the DOJ’s nationwide initiative uniting law enforcement at all levels to combat violent crime through rapid response, strong partnerships and strict prosecution.
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