WILKES-BARRE — A Butler Township man who was unsuccessful in having video footage excluded from his case pleaded guilty to exposing himself during an Uber ride share in 2025.
Sean Able Ortiz, 33, of Old Airport Road, Drums, was scheduled for trial before Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael T. Vough.
Ortiz pled guilty to indecent exposure while prosecutors withdrew an open lewdness offense.
Sugarloaf Township police charged Ortiz in August 2025, after investigating a complaint from a female Uber driver.
Court records say the female Uber driver picked up Ortiz, who had scheduled a ride from Pecora Road in Drums to a location in Hazleton on July 28, 2025.
During the transport, Ortiz exposed himself while seated in the rear seat and performed a self-lewd act, court records say.
When the driver realized what Ortiz was doing, court records say, she activated a camera to record his actions. The footage was given to Sugarloaf Township police during the investigation.
During pre-trial proceedings, Ortiz, through his attorney, Public Defender Scott K. Hampton, challenged the footage in an attempt to have it excluded from being introduced by prosecutors. Vough denied the request.
Ortiz, who remains free on $5,000 unsecured bail, is scheduled to be sentenced July 23.
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