A former correctional officer in Laredo admitted to sexually assaulting and violating the civil rights of two female inmates at the Webb County Jail in January 2022.
Hector Humberto Rodriguez, 28, removed the victims from their cell and isolated them in a secluded area where he then "used force, threats, and coercion to forcibly sexually assault them," according to a written statement from U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The abuse happened on two separate occasions. Both victims reported Rodriguez and identified him, leading to his arrest.
Hamdani described Rodriguez as the "worst kind of predator" and accused him of abusing his authority to prey on the "most vulnerable women in our community."
"These were women that were in his care, women that he was supposed to look after and protect. Instead, he took advantage of their vulnerability and violated their civil rights for his own sick pleasures," said the U.S. Attorney.
-
NY Governor Faces Backlash From Within Own Party After 'Diverting Attention' Away From Black Inmate's Violent Death
-
'Outrageous and Horrifying' Body Cam Footage Reveals Officers Punching and Kicking Handcuffed New York Prisoner Who Later Died
-
Desperate' And 'Very Dangerous' Killer Recaptured After Escaping Mississippi Prison
Rodriguez's sentence will be imposed at a later date. He will remain in custody pending his next scheduled hearing. The defendant faces up to life in prison as well as potential fines of $250,000 for each of the two counts of conviction.
Inmates and civil rights advocates have long reported widespread sexual abuse happening in U.S. prisons. While most cases allegedly go unreported, in 2023, the Department of Justice some data on the matter. According to the report, between 2016 and 2018, adult correctional authorities reported 2,229 cases of "sexual victimization" perpetrated by staff.
Correctional officers or supervisory staff were responsible for 64% of the incidents. The report also revealed that only 44% of the reports led to the discharge of staff perpetrators, and merely 43% of them were reprimanded following sexual harassment incidents.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
