Sexual Assault Cases skyrocket in City of Eagle Pass, TX

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

An Eagle Pass Business Journal exclusive review of the monthly activity reports of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas Police Department found that the number of reported Sexual Assault cases has skyrocketed by a 107% increase from 2014 to 2015, raising grave concerns among local women, mothers, children, and law enforcement officials.

Sexual assault is defined as any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Falling under the definition of sexual assault include sexual activities such as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape.

According to the Eagle Pass Police Department monthly activity reports, there were a total of 27 sexual assault complaints reported during the one year period from November 2014 to November 2015 (to date) compared to only 13 sexual assault complaints reported during January 4, 2014 through October 7, 2014. The number of sexual assault cases reported to the Eagle Pass Police Department during 2014 to 2015 increased by 107%.

The Eagle Pass Police Department opened an investigation on these sexual assault complaints reported to their agency.

On another matter, the Eagle Pass Police Department reports having a total of 35 registered sexual offenders with their office residing in the City of Eagle Pass during the period of January 4, 2014 to November 2015.

A review of the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department monthly reports on the total number of all telephone calls and complaints received found that there are at least 12 sexual assault cases reported during June 2015 to September 2015, including at least two of the sexual assault cases reported as Aggravated Sexual Assaults.

Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber stated that he sees an increase of sexual assault cases being reported as a sign of non-tolerance by citizens and victims, particularly as victims are now more willing to report their delicate cases to law enforcement authorities for investigation and assistance. Sheriff Schmerber encourages anyone who feels that they have been sexually assaulted to please report it to the appropriate authority, either the Eagle Pass Police Department at (830) 773-9044 or 911 or to the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department at (830) 773-2321 or 911.

Eagle Pass Police Chief Alberto Guajardo stated that sexual assaults are not tolerated and there is zero tolerance for these cases in the community.

Sheriff Schmerber reminds Maverick County citizens to report any suspicious activities and/or criminal acts to the Maverick County Sheriff Department or Eagle Pass Police Department.