Holly MatkinHarris County, TX – A woman who participated in the attack and sexual assault of a “complete stranger” in a Harris County bar in 2021 has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s office announced on Dec. 29 that 31-year-old Ariel Cordoba was sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of aggravated assault, aggravated sexual assault, and aggravated robbery, KPRC reported.
Cordoba and her co-defendant, 38-year-old Felix Vale, brutally beat and sexually assaulted the male victim for 22 minutes, according to KHOU.
He lost consciousness just five minutes after the attack began, prosecutors said.
“This was a vicious attack, and this woman not only participated but she also tried to hide the evidence of what happened,” Ogg said in a press release, according to KPRC. “Our hearts go out to the victim, who was completely innocent and should have been safe just taking shelter from the cold.”
The horrific assault occurred at the Fountainhead bar off of Ella Boulevard and FM 1960 during a severe winter storm on Feb. 17, 2021, KHOU reported.
The incident was captured by a security camera.
The 49-year-old victim and his friend stopped by the bar for drinks and were sitting inside the establishment minding their own business when Cordoba and Vale suddenly confronted them, Ogg’s office said.
1/ 3 Ariel Cordoba, 31, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery and aggravated assault was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in brutally beating and sexually assaulting a man at a northwest Harris County bar in 2021. #PublicSafety pic.twitter.com/kFnKoFZgKg
— Harris County DA (@HarrisCountyDAO) December 29, 2022
The suspects left the bar for about 10 minutes, then returned and attacked the male victim.
Prosecutors said the couple beat the man with a barstool, their hands, and a gun for nearly a half hour before deputies were able to force their way through the storm to end the brutal assault, KHOU reported.
The suspects stole the victim’s wallet and sexually assaulted him during the incident, according to KPRC.
1/3 Felix Vale, 38, was sentenced to 82 years in prison for brutally beating and sexually assaulting a man at a northwest Harris County bar in 2021, District Attorney Kim Ogg announced. #PublicSafety pic.twitter.com/qS422CwysI
— Harris County DA (@HarrisCountyDAO) December 13, 2022
Prosecutors said the victim suffered severe injuries and underwent multiple surgeries, and that his recovery remains ongoing, KHOU reported.
“This horrible incident was captured on video, and it is very difficult to watch for witnesses, jurors, and even the judge,” Assistant District Attorney Ryan Volkmer said, according to KPRC. “This couple took deliberate actions and worked together to violently beat a complete stranger, and we have worked to see that justice is done.”
Vale was convicted after a four-day trial and was sentenced to 82 years in prison for his role in the attack, KRIV reported.
