Assault Case Headed to Grand Jury

By Brooke Manuel, Skyline Editor

ALPINE – After five months of investigation into an alleged felony sexual assault and burglary in a dormitory room at Sul Ross State University, local prosecutors said they are preparing to present their case to a Brewster County grand jury. 

Brewster County Assistant District Attorney William Parham attributed the delay to the complexities of the case and his office’s meticulous scrutiny of the evidence, much of it captured on video cameras in the dormitory on campus. Parham told the Skyline that he expects the grand jury to hear the case during the week of Feb. 27, although it “could conceivably” stretch into March. 

“There are a lot of videos from within the dorms and just because of the nature of the case, I want everything organized, as it should be,” Parham said.  

Kent Dunegan, director of public safety at SRSU and instrumental in helping prosecutors prepare their case based on his investigation, was unavailable for comment.   

Betse Esparza, director of university communications, said that the university has not been in contact with the district attorney’s office since turning the case over to them, but declined further comment. 

At approximately 4 a.m. on Sept. 15, a former senior and member of the SRSU men’s soccer team allegedly entered four unlocked dormitory rooms, three women’s and one men’s, without permission from the occupants.  

The alleged perpetrator was suspended from Sul Ross State University and fled Alpine, officials said. If the grand jury brings charges against him, they said, he must return for trial. Felony sexual assault carries a possible 20-year prison term and a requirement to register as a sex offender. 

Officials said they are confident that the grand jury will bring charges since the alleged perpetrator was filmed on hallway cameras at 4 a.m. checking names on dormitory doors, bypassing men’s rooms and entering those with what he believed were women’s names. Officials allege that he stole several items and fondled one sleeping woman.