SAN ANTONIO – Fighting back tears, a woman testified Tuesday that former Bexar County Jail Detention Officer Erick Montez, 36, sexually assaulted her during a trip from the jail annex to the main jail.
The woman said that as she was being transferred to the jail, Montez suddenly stopped the transport van, opened a side door and began to attack her.
“I fell and my knees were all scratched up,” the woman said.
She said that Montez then forced her to have sex.
The victim said that she initially tried unsuccessfully to kick Montez.
“In the beginning, I kinda hesitated and then I got it in my mind that he has a badge,” she said. “I took his words for consideration that I’m an inmate and nobody did believe me for first.”
The woman said she reported the attack the following day. Jail records indicate that it wasn’t reported until January 2.
Montez was subsequently fired and charged with sexual assault and improper sexual activity with a person in custody.
A conviction could mean a 20-year prison sentence for Montez. The trial is expected to resume Wednesday in Judge Lorina Rummel’s 144th District Court.
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