Daily Progress, Jacksonville, TX

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May 29, 2008

Illegal immigrant held in rape case

By Kelly Young

kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com

A 48-year-old disabled woman was allegedly raped Saturday morning just hours after being released from the Intensive Care Unit of a local hospital. Juventino M. Pizano, a 25-year-old illegal immigrant, was arrested for the crime.

The victim underwent surgery May 19 to insert a catheter into her heart, and was released from the hospital Friday afternoon.

“According to the victim, she woke up at about 3 a.m. Saturday morning with a man on top of her. She tried to push him off but wasn’t able to. When she started screaming and hollering, the rest of the family started banging on the door,” said Detective Tonya Sonntag of the Jacksonville Police Department. “The victim said her attacker then put his pants on and unlocked the door. The boys in the house grabbed him and basically chunked him out the door. Officers responding to the scene found him a few blocks down and detained him.”

Once JPD arrived at the scene and began investigating the circumstances, Pizano was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault and public intoxication.

Due to the victim’s fragile condition, she was transported via ambulance to the hospital where she was treated and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner kit was administered. She did not suffer any other physical injuries as a result of the attack, and was released Saturday.

“Our main concern was obviously the effect it might have on her heart. She didn’t need something traumatic like that happening right after getting out of the ICU the day before,” Sonntag said. “She’s not that old of a woman, but she is in really poor health.”

Pizano’s bond was set at $50,000 for aggravated sexual assault. He is currently being held at the Cherokee County Jail with an immigration hold placed on him.

Armed Home Invasion

JPD is also investigating an armed home invasion that reportedly occurred Saturday morning in the 200 block of Myrtle Drive.

“According to the victims, a Hispanic female knocked on their door at about 1 a.m. When one of the residents of the house opened the door, three black males, two carrying long guns and one carrying a handgun, rushed into the building,” Sonntag said. “Once inside they began shouting orders for everybody to get down on the ground.”

The men demanded the wallets from the four Hispanic men inside the residence at the time of the burglary. Before the assailants left, all four victims were physically assaulted.

“One of the victims was struck in the face with the butt of a gun for attempting to run into one of the bedrooms. Another victim attempted to hide his wallet but was caught by one of the actors and was struck in the back with the butt of a long gun,” Sonntag said. “The third victim was also struck in the head, and the man who opened the door was struck numerous times — he really got the worst of it.”

After collecting nearly $700 from the victims, the burglars fled the scene. The entire ordeal lasted only about two minutes. According to the victims, they did not recognize any of the suspects.

“There are no suspects at this time, but it is currently being investigated and there are a few leads in the case. If any arrests are made, they will be for burglary with intent to commit another felony, which is a first-degree felony,” Sonntag said.

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