Illegal Immigrant Kidnaps, Brutally Beats Woman in Crockett
05/04/2015 11:46 AM
Post by staff
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CROCKETT, TX -- A Crockett woman was brutally beaten by an illegal immigrant during an apparent kidnapping in Houston County over the weekend.
According to the Crockett Police Department, at 10:34 a.m. on Friday, officers and other emergency responders were were called to the 1000 block of South Fifth Street on reports of a woman in distress.
Police arrived at the scene and found a Hispanic 30-year-old woman lying on the front porch of her house. She had suffered serious trauma to her head and other areas of her body. The victim had also been tied up by her attacker.
Medical officials and firefighters immediately began giving the woman life saving treatment, and the home was searched by police for any other victims or a suspect. None were located.
The woman was taken to a local hospital where she was then flown to a Tyler hospital for emergency medical help.
The Texas Rangers were called in to assist and an investigation began. Following interview with family members, authorities identified Juan Gutierrez Cortes, 26, of Grapeland, as a suspect. He was located in his hometown later that day. He agreed to voluntarily come to Crockett for questioning where confessed to the kidnapping and attack, according to police.
The motive is being withheld at this time due to the ongoing investigation into the case.
Search warrants were obtained for the victim’s residence, the suspects’ vehicle and suspects’ home in Grapeland. Important evidence was recovered from the suspects’ residence that could tie him to the crime scene.
Cortes was charged Saturday morning with aggravated kidnapping and burglary with intent to commit assault. Both are first degree felonies and carry a punishment range of 5-99 years in prison or Life. Bonds on the suspect total $90,000.
Cortes is also an illegal immigrant and Immigration and Customs Enforcement were contacted to place a hold on the suspect.
The victim was last known to be in stable condition.
Crockett Fire, Grapeland Fire and Police and the Houston County Sheriff Department also assisted with the scene.
“This is one of those crimes that you see that affects you emotionally, not only as a law enforcement officer but as a human being. Every member of my department was called in to get this one solved. Several Detectives and Officers worked almost 24 hours straight on this one. I am proud of each and every one of them,” Chief David Cross said.
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