05/15/2026
For Immediate Release:
Man Arrested After Incident at Fort Walton Beach Church May 5, 2026
Case Number: 2026-00010629
Fort Walton Beach, Fla. — On May 3, 2026, officers with the Fort Walton Beach Police
Department responded to a report of a possible armed individual at Grace Church, located at 218 Eglin Parkway NE.
Upon arrival, officers encountered parishioners who had been safely evacuated from the building during an ongoing religious service. Witnesses informed officers that a male subject was inside the ceiling of the women’s restroom.
Officers made entry into the building and located the individual in the ceiling. The subject, identified as Aquilino Sanjur Ortega, was found to be unarmed and was taken into custody without incident.
During the investigation, a female victim reported that while inside the women’s restroom, she observed a mobile phone positioned above the ceiling with its camera pointed downward in her direction. She immediately exited the restroom and alerted church staff.
Ortega was arrested and charged with video voyeurism and disturbing a religious assembly. He is also currently being held on an immigration detainer.
Chief Robert Bage stated, “Our priority is always the safety of our community. I’m grateful for the quick actions of church staff and the calm, coordinated response of our officers that led to a safe resolution.”
The Fort Walton Beach Police Department encourages community members and organizations to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity promptly.
For additional information on preparing for emergencies, resources are available through the Department of Homeland Security at: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/physical-security
This investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Fort Walton Beach Police Department.
