AUSTIN, TX – A cold case dating back nearly two decades has been resolved in Mills County, Texas, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Texas Rangers, local law enforcement, and forensic scientists. Jessie Rodriquez, 41, was convicted for a 2005 attack and received a maximum sentence of 20 years.
In August 2005, Rodriquez broke into a home in Mills County, armed himself with a kitchen knife, and attempted to sexually assault a 21-year-old woman. During the struggle, both Rodriquez and the victim sustained cuts, leaving a drop of Rodriquez’s blood at the scene.
Initially, a DNA profile developed from the blood did not yield any matches in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). However, in 2021, advancements in DNA testing through the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) enabled a familial DNA search. This led to the identification of a paternal relative of Rodriquez in CODIS, ultimately pointing to him as the suspect.
The Texas Rangers, in collaboration with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), pursued this lead. Further surveillance and DNA collection confirmed Rodriquez’s identity. He eventually confessed to the crime and pleaded guilty in December 2023.
The successful resolution of this case highlights the significant role of advanced DNA testing and inter-agency cooperation in solving long-standing cold cases. The Texas Rangers acknowledge the contributions of the DPS Crime Lab forensic scientists in Waco, Garland, and Austin, as well as the MCSO and the 35th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.