Maverick County sued by former female prisoner for rape at Tom Bowles Detention Center

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County Commissioners Court approved to authorize the County Attorney Ricardo Ramos to continue its settlement negotiations with Plaintiff and her attorneys in a civil lawsuit filed by Rosa Isela Garcia on October 28, 2011 against Maverick County, former Maverick County Sheriff Tomas Herrera, Miguel Angel Mancha and other unknown officers, agents, and/or employees of of Maverick County Sheriff’s Department in the 36th Judicial District Court in Maverick County, Texas, alleging that she was raped on November 3, 2009 at the Tom Bowles Maverick County Detention Center in Eagle Pass, Texas by former Maverick County Tom Bowles Detention Center Jailer Miguel Angel Mancha while she was an inmate there.

During Maverick County Commissioners Court meeting held on Thursday, January 29, 2015, Commissioners Court went into Executive Session to consult with legal counsel regarding the pending lawsuit styled Rosa Isela Garcia v. Maverick County et al pursuant to Section 551.071, Chapter 551 of the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Commissioners Court consulted with Maverick County Attorney Ricardo Ramos during the Executive Session regarding Rosa Isela Garcia’s lawsuit against Maverick County.

According to the lawsuit, Garcia alleges that she was arrested at an Eagle Pass International Bridge during 2009 while attempting to enter the United States from Mexico on a felony warrant of arrest issued by Bexar County, Texas.

Garcia alleges that she was raped on November 3, 2009 by Maverick County Jailer Miguel Angel while she was an inmate at the Tom Bowles Maverick County Detention Center.

Garcia alleges that each of the defendants named in the suit committed negligent acts and/or omissions which proximately caused her to suffer severe pain and mental anguish arising from the alleged rape by County Jailer Miguel Angel Mancha.

Garcia is suing defendants for actual damages, past and present pain and suffering, mental anguish, court costs, and expenses as allowed by Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

After a lengthy Executive Session, Commissioners Court unanimously approved a motion authorizing County Attorney Ricardo Ramos to continue settlement negotiations with Garcia and her attorneys and report back to Commissioners Court.

Garcia’s civil lawsuit remains pending in 365th Judicial District Judge Amado J. Abascal, III, court in Maverick County, Texas.