6 Life Sentences Given To Woodbridge Man For Drugging Girls Leading To Sexual Assaults

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A case involving minor girls being drugged, sexually abused and raped led to six life sentences and 35 years of mandatory prison time for a Woodbridge man.

A judge sentenced Balmore Ortiz Guardado, 36, of Woodbridge, to six life sentences and 215 years in prison with 179 years suspended, according to the Office of the Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney. The regular sentencing guidelines recommended a sentence between 35 and 86 years, but the judge chose a harsher sentence due to "the violence of the crimes, the number of victims and the effect on the victims, the use of a firearm, and the recommendation of the [prosecution]. He was required to register with the Virginia Sex Offender Registry and Crimes Against Minors Registry.

"This was a very complex and difficult case as there were so many allegations and very little evidence to corroborate what the victims were telling us occurred due to the late report," Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Ashworth said in a statement. "However, with the hard work of the police detectives investigating the case, multiple search warrants, and the digital forensic investigative work, we were able to piece together the evidence and paint the picture of horrific abuse these minors suffered."

The crimes against the minor girls aged between 15 and 16 happened from late 2021 to 2022. Prosecutors say Ortiz Guardado provided drugs, including Percocet pills laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, Xanax and alcohol to victims. The drugs helped facilitate the sexual abuse and rape of the victims, who either were incapacitated or faced a threat from a gun.

Prince William County Police arrested Ortiz Guardado in January 2023. He pleaded guilty in January 2024 to 14 charges: three counts of rape, three counts of object sexual penetration, seven counts of distribution of a schedule I of II to a minor, and one count of possession of child pornography.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center can provide information about reporting and coping with sexual abuse. Their website also features training materials and tips to prevent sexual abuse. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network operates a 24/7 hotline for victims of sexual assault. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a 24/7 hotline for people struggling with addiction at 1-800-662-4357.