50-year sentence for sexual assault of unconscious woman

CONROE, Texas — A Montgomery County man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison following a 2021 sexual assault that took place while he was on the clock at his workplace.

Jesus Antonio Rodriguez, 25, appeared in the 435th District Court on December 14, 2023, where he entered a guilty plea to the charge of aggravated sexual assault. The plea concluded a case that began in August 2021, when Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a local business following reports of an assault in progress.

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, the incident occurred inside a bathroom at the establishment where Rodriguez was employed. Investigators determined that Rodriguez sexually assaulted a woman who had become unconscious. The assault was interrupted by a coworker who discovered the pair in the restroom and immediately intervened. The witness contacted 911, and responding deputies took Rodriguez into custody shortly after their arrival.

During the investigation, detectives recovered surveillance footage from the business that officials say provided clear evidence of the assault. The presence of this video evidence was a critical component in the prosecution's case.

Assistant District Attorney Kelsea Wingo, who handled the prosecution, emphasized the severity of the act during the plea hearing. Under Texas law, aggravated sexual assault is classified as a 3g offense, a designation that carries strict sentencing requirements. Because of this classification, Rodriguez is ineligible for community supervision or traditional parole pathways for the duration of the first half of his sentence. He must serve at least 25 calendar years behind bars before he can be considered for parole.

The conviction marks the end of a legal process that began more than two years ago. Rodriguez has been remanded to the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to begin serving his sentence.

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office has not released the name of the establishment where the incident occurred, citing the privacy of the victim. For those seeking information regarding sexual assault resources or reporting, the Montgomery County Women’s Center provides a 24-hour crisis hotline at 936-441-7273. Additional legal information regarding Texas penal codes and 3g offense guidelines can be found through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice official portal at www.tdcj.texas.gov.