A 35-year-old Lancaster Township man was acquitted this week of having sexual relations with a preteen girl between 2003 and 2005.

A county jury returned its not-guilty verdicts Wednesday, after two days of testimony in Joel Ortiz's trial.

Ortiz was acquitted of all charges.

Ortiz was charged with nine felony and misdemeanor sex crimes, including rape of a child. The charges, which accused Ortiz of having sexual contact with a Lancaster County girl, carried maximum prison penalties that would have exceeded 50 years.

"There was a tremendous amount at stake," defense attorney Cory J. Miller said. "There is no doubt in my mind that this acquittal gives (Ortiz) a second chance on life."

The girl Ortiz allegedly had contact with, now 15, testified Tuesday.

Miller pointed out several inconsistencies in the girl's stories. She told a detective and doctor two different versions of events within days of each interview, Miller said.

The girl gave conflicting recollections of the first time she claimed she was abused, Miller said. She testified Tuesday that the first instance of abuse was in Ortiz's living room, then later said it happened in the shower.

"Experts will tell you victims block these sorts of memories out," Miller said afterward. "You're not going to forget where and when that first time happened."

Ortiz's wife and son testified Wednesday that they were unaware of inappropriate contact between Ortiz and the girl.

The girl had testified that Ortiz's son walked in on one of the alleged encounters. The son testified to the contrary.

The jury took about five hours to return its verdicts.

Miller said he considers the case a "bittersweet" victory.

Ortiz avoided a lengthy prison sentence but may never escape the negative light cast on him by rape allegations, his attorney said.

"While Joel was acquitted of his charges, it has come at an incredible toll over these past two-and-a-half years," Miller said. "He has lost his job, his reputation and his family."

E-mail: bhambright@lnpnews.com