A Hinesville City Council member who was charged with DUI two years ago faces another charge for driving under the influence.

Jose Ortiz, who represents District 5 on the council, was arrested June 4 by the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and charged with DUI-first offense and not wearing a seat belt.

He was released on a $1,606 bond.

According to Maj. Joshua Heath of the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Ortiz was stopped initially for not wearing his seatbelt shortly after 11 pm in Hinesville by a Liberty County deputy.

Heath said the deputy stopped the process of handing Ortiz the citation when he detected the odor of alcohol. The deputy asked Ortiz if he had anything to drink, and Ortiz did not respond. The deputy requested Ortiz blow into a breathalyzer and submit to a blood draw, which he refused. Ortiz submitted to a field sobriety test, which he failed.

The deputy placed Ortiz into custody and charged him with driving under the influence and for not wearing a seatbelt.

Ortiz was charged with DUI less safe and improper equipment on November 22, 2024, when his Jeep Wrangler was pulled over on Wallace Martin Drive. He entered a plea of not guilty in Liberty County State Court on March 11, 2025.

He pled guilty to reckless driving September 10, 2025, and paid a $2,000 fine. His DUI charge was amended to non-fingerprintable offense.

Ortiz represents District 5.