Alleged Assailant Freed After Investigators Find Victim Lied

ABILENE, TX – The Taylor County District Attorney's Office has dropped charges against a man who spent weeks in jail for allegedly kidnapping and raping a woman. 

As previously reported, on December 24, the Abilene Police Department arrested Joe Raymond Rodriguez for aggravated kidnapping. Here is the story: Police: Suspect Dumped Woman in Alley After Kidnapping & Assaulting Her

The arrest came after a woman claimed that on July 14 she was kidnapped and then sexually assaulted. She stated that it started when she was out looking for her father's dog. This is when a man allegedly grabbed her from behind and forced her into the backseat. She alleges the man “threatened to kill her if she screamed or made a noise. 

The suspect allegedly held her face down in the center console as he drove around blocks and alleys. When he eventually stopped the car, he then climbed in the back seat and sexually assaulted her. After the assault, he opened the door and pushed her out. Rodriguez was then arrested and jailed in Taylor County unitl January 9. That is when the TCDA's Office announced that all charges were dropped. 

"The arrest warrant was issued by a district judge based on probable cause developed during the Department’s thorough investigation," said the news release. "As investigators continued their investigation, they learned the victim had been deceptive about the relationship she had with Mr. Rodriguez, wherein she failed to disclose facts vital to the case."

Rodriguez isn't 100 percent off of the hook yet though as the Abilene Police Department will continue to investigate the incident. 

"Although the victim was deceptive about her relationship with Rodriguez, detectives will still investigate her allegations of an abduction and sexual assault," said police in a news release. "Consequently, at this time charges will not be filed against her for filing a false report. She has not rescinded her allegations, but Rodriguez has been cleared of these criminal charges."