Seattle police officer charged after threats to wife

A Seattle police officer accused of threatening his estranged wife has been charged with misdemeanor domestic violence harassment.

Domingo Ortiz, 47, of Puyallup, is accused of calling the woman Sept. 15 and threatening to injure her because she went to his house to pick up their 15-year-old daughter for drill team practice, according to charging papers filed Sept. 23 in Tacoma District Court.

The woman told Pierce County sheriff's deputies that Ortiz said "if I find or see or hear of you on or near my property, I'm going to hurt you permanently," according to charging documents.

She said her estranged husband told her if she took her case to authorities they wouldn't believe her, charging papers say.

The woman reported the threats to Pierce County deputies and the Seattle Police Department's Internal Investigations unit that day. She called 911 a second time on Sept. 15 when Ortiz called her again.

This time Ortiz allegedly yelled profanities at the woman and said he was coming over to her house to get their daughter, according to charging papers.

"The Seattle Police Department took the officer's gun and badge and placed him on administrative leave pending further investigation," Officer Sean Whitcomb said.

Ortiz was hired in March 1995 and most recently worked out of the department's southwest precinct, Whitcomb said.

Police mistakenly reported that the woman called the internal investigations unit on Sept. 17.

If convicted, Ortiz faces up to a year in jail and $5,000 fine.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com