Sandy MaloneHouston, TX – A female Harris County sheriff’s sergeant was sexually assaulted and brutally beaten by an inmate on Monday inside her office at the Harris County jail.
“We had one of our employee representatives go down to the hospital and he said it’s the worst beating he’s ever seen in his 46-year career,” David Cuevas, the president of the Harris County Deputies’ Organization, told KTRK. “It’s shaken our agency to the core.”
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said that incident occurred at about 2 p.m. on Dec. 6 in the jail located in the 1200-block of Baker Street.
HCSO said the sergeant reported having been assaulted by 27-year-old Jeremiah Williams.
Sources told KTRK that Williams was returning to his cell without anyone escorting him when he attacked the victim inside her 5th floor office.
Crime scene unit was outside the jail today after a female @HCSOTexas sergeant was beaten and sexually assaulted. Inmate, who is awaiting trial for sexual assault, ambushed her inside an office, according to sources. Deputies’ org. is asking for prayers for her recovery. #abc13 pic.twitter.com/Bpp8yGUhZx
— Jessica Willey (@ImJessicaWilley) December 7, 2021
The sergeant was taken to the jail clinic for treatment after the attack but then transferred to the hospital with serious injuries, KHOU reported.
Williams was already in the Harris County jail charged with sexual assault and attempted sexual assault when he attacked the sheriff’s sergeant.
The initial charges stemmed from two attacks he allegedly made on two different women with minutes each other in a west Harris County park on Sept. 8, 2020, KTRK reported.
Deputies said Williams attacked and sexually assaulted a 45-year-old jogger and then ran up behind a 27-year-old jogger and knocked her to the ground.
The second victim was able to escape, according to KTRK.
The violent assault on the female sergeant highlighted complaints of unsafe conditions for both staff and inmates at the Harris County jail.
A month earlier, 19-old-year special needs inmate Fred Harris was stabbed and beaten by an inmate twice his size in the jail, KTRK reported.
Harris died at the hospital after the attack and his killer has been charged with murder.
The deputies’ union filed a lawsuit against the county in September that alleged unsafe jail conditions and understaffing, KTRK reported.
“There’s not enough people in that jail. I keep saying that. I keep warning them. I keep telling them and they don’t listen,” David Batton, an attorney for the deputies’ organization, said.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez issued a statement about the brutal assault, KHOU reported.
“The brutal attack of our Sheriff’s Office teammate warrants a thorough and swift investigation,” Sheriff Gonzalez said. “Uncovering all the relevant facts related to this alleged assault is a top priority as we seek answers and justice. All our brave employees deserve to feel safe, and we will do everything to protect them. Our team’s immediate focus is offering a range of full support to our team member.”
The sheriff said an internal investigation into how the attack occurred would be conducted in addition to the criminal investigation, KHOU reported.
HCSO has not released the name of the deputy who was attacked.
Holly Matkin
