A nearly two-decades old cold case has been solved thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Texas Rangers and local law enforcement. Jessie Rodriquez, 41, was convicted of attempted aggravated sexual assault, a second-degree felony, in the 35th Judicial District Court of Mills County. Rodriquez received the maximum 20-year prison sentence.
The charges and conviction stem from a 2005 cold case in Mills County. In the early morning hours of August 13, 2005, Rodriquez broke into a home and attempted to sexually assault a 21-year-old woman at knife-point. However, during the attack, the woman managed to wrestle the knife away from Rodriquez, and both of them sustained cuts. Rodriquez left a drop of blood in the home before fleeing the scene.
The bloodstain left by the attacker became a crucial piece of evidence in solving the case. Sheriff's investigators recovered the blood and a forensic scientist from the Texas DPS Crime Lab developed a single source DNA profile from the unknown male suspect. This profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), but no matches were initially found. Despite the setback, Sheriff's investigators continued to work on the case and collect samples in hopes of finding a breakthrough.
In 2021, the Texas Rangers joined forces with the Mills County Sheriff's Office to utilize advanced DNA testing. Through the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), which is a federal grant provided by the Department of Justice and Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Texas Rangers were able to conduct a CODIS familial DNA search. This search involved comparing the single source DNA profile from the case against more than a million profiles in CODIS for a familial match.
The results of the CODIS search revealed a convicted felon whose DNA profile was in CODIS shared a paternal relative with the unknown profile from the 2005 case. This unknown profile was identified as Jessie Rodriquez, whose blood was found at the victim's home. Armed with this new information, the Mills County Sheriff's Office developed Rodriquez as a suspect through genealogy. After conducting surveillance and collecting a DNA sample, forensic scientists from the DPS Lab in Waco confirmed Rodriquez's true identity. He subsequently confessed to the crime and pleaded guilty in December 2023.
The successful resolution of this cold case would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the Texas Rangers, DPS Crime Lab forensic scientists in Waco and Garland, the Austin CODIS section, the Mills County Sheriff's Office, and the 35th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Their dedication and commitment to justice have brought closure to a victim and her family after nearly two decades.
The breakthrough in this case highlights the importance of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). This project, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance, aims to collect DNA from potential suspects and assist in the identification and prosecution of violent serial sex offenders. By preventing a high number of unsubmitted sexual assault kits in the future, SAKI plays a crucial role in solving cold cases like this one.
The Texas Rangers have been actively involved in the SAKI project since 2019, when they received grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The funding has been instrumental in the collection and entry of lawfully owned DNA into CODIS, as well as the investigation and prosecution of sexually related cold case homicides and sexual assault cases. Through genetic genealogy testing and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, the Texas Rangers utilize SAKI grant money to solve sexual assault and homicide cases linked to unknown offenders.
The resolution of this nearly two-decades old cold case serves as a testament to the power of DNA technology and the unwavering dedication of law enforcement agencies. Thanks to their relentless efforts, justice has been served, and a dangerous criminal has been brought to justice.
To find out more, go to this link: https://www.dps.texas.gov/news/dna-helps-convict-attacker-nearly-two-decades-later
