Big Country Homepage.com
by: Erica Garner
Posted:
Updated:
MILLS COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Forensic testing has led to a conviction in a Mills County rape case that happened more than 18 years ago.
Jessie Rodriguez, of Zephyr, pleaded guilty to Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault of an Adult Wednesday and received a 20-year prison sentence in connection to the 2005 crime.
A press release states Rodriguez is accused of breaking into the home of a victim and trying to sexually assault her, but during the attempt, he was injured with a knife and fled the scene.
Investigators were able to recover forensic evidence, including his blood, from the victim’s home.
It was this evidence that prompted investigators to re-open the case in 2022. New forensic testing allowed them to identify Rodriguez as a suspect.
Rodriguez was apprehended soon after and confessed to the crime, according to the press release.
He is currently being held in the Mills County Jail.