Two Houston men have been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the kidnapping, raping, and robbing of a woman in Sharpstown in 2017, Harris County District Attorney’s Office announced Saturday.

“No one should have to go through a random act of violence like this, and my heart goes out to the victim,” Harris County District Attorney Ogg said. “She was terrorized and traumatized and still had the presence of mind to get away and seek justice.”

Martin Cruz, 42, was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a Harris County jury late Wednesday after a week-long trial. He was convicted of aggravated kidnapping for abducting a woman at gunpoint outside an apartment complex in southwest Houston, across the street from Cruz’s apartment.

Evidence presented in court showed that Cruz and Ricardo Matilde-Silvas, 34, approached the victim on March 16, 2017, and forced her into her vehicle at gunpoint. Inside the car, she was sexually assaulted and made her wear a jacket over her head. They took her to an ATM, made her take out $300, and then brought her back to Cruz’s apartment where she was again sexually assaulted. After the attack, she convinced the two men to release her, and she immediately contacted Houston Police.

Matilde-Silvas pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault for his part in the incident in exchange for a 30-year prison sentence in April. 

Assistant District Attorney Kim Nwabeke who handled the case with the prosecutor, ADA Chris Handley, told jurors during the week-long trial that the victim lived through her own horror story and came away stronger.

“She lived every young woman’s worst nightmare, being taken in the night by the monster next door,” Nwabeke said. “Now, she’s turned the tragedy into strength and is working to empower other survivors to speak out.”

The case was investigated by the Houston Police Department and prosecuted by the Sex Crimes Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

“We thank the jurors for their service and the prosecutors and police in this case for their work in seeing that justice was delivered for the victim and our entire community,” Ogg said. “We are grateful to them.”

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Persse shared an update on the City’s response to COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccinations on Tuesday.

Turner was also joined by several council members, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena during the news conference.

“We’re at a critical time in our fight to stop the delta variant,” the mayor said.

Turner said the Texas Medical Center has reported more than 25,000 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized. He said the city hasn’t seen those hospitalization numbers since the beginning of the pandemic. Turner said the majority of those hospitalized are unvaccinated and contributing to the COVID-19 deaths.

He said the city wants to appeal to parents and the public to continue to get tested, get vaccinated, and wear masks indoors. Turner said he doesn’t want someone who is hospitalized and fighting the virus to regret their decision to not get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vs schools

The mayor also stated that more cases are being reported as school starts and reopen. He is encouraging students, staff, and educators to wear their masks during school hours to help mitigate the spread.

He also mentioned that 11 schools will participate in week three of his Super Saturday Vaccination Day clinics for students and families, scheduled for every Saturday in August.

City of Houston employees impacted by the virus

So far, 293 cities of Houston employees tested positive for COVID-19, 144 municipal workers, 97 in the Houston Police Department, and around 50 in the Houston Fire Department, according to Turner.

He said the city has reached a “grim milestone” in COVID-19 deaths, reported 11 deaths Tuesday by the Houston Health Department.

Vaccinations in Houston

By the numbers, Turner said 69.4% of residents eligible for the vaccine have received at least one shot, 57% are fully vaccinated and 43% of those eligible have yet to be fully vaccinated.

The mayor addressed those who are younger but hesitant about the vaccine, saying it won’t reorganize their DNA or prevent them from having children in the future.

Dr. Persse also restated what the mayor said, saying it’s a “ridiculous accusation and that the vaccine cannot change DNA.” He said the delta variant is so contagious, that chances to get through this pandemic without being vaccinated is becoming zero. Persse said the city’s positivity rate is currently 19.2%.

Rental assistance

Mayor Turner also reminded residents that the city’s emergency rental assistance program has helped millions and to apply while funds are still available.

For more information about the program, visit Houstonharrishelp.org.

Source: www.click2houston.com