A collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies has led to a breakthrough in a long-standing sexual assault case that had gone cold for nearly two decades. On October 9, 2004, San Marcos Police received a distressing call reporting a sexual assault that occurred within a residence in San Marcos. The victim recounted an intruder entering her home and sexually assaulting her in her bedroom, with the assailant concealing their identity using a shirt or mask.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered evidence suggesting that the suspect had fled on foot, leaving the home. The victim, unfortunately, was unable to identify the perpetrator as her assailant had kept their face hidden. She was subsequently transported to a hospital in Seguin, where a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) was conducted, collecting vital evidence, including a DNA sample from the assailant. The collected evidence was then sent to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for analysis. Despite their best efforts, investigators struggled to identify a suspect, leading them to enter the DNA profile into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), hoping for a future breakthrough.

Years later, renewed attention to the case prompted investigators to reconnect with the victim, who expressed her continued desire to see justice served. This development led to a collaboration with the DPS Crime Safety Laboratory to conduct advanced DNA testing, surpassing the capabilities of the initial 2004 analysis.

In March 2023, the DPS reported a potential lead linked to 44-year-old Ricardo Cruz Rodriguez, who had grown up in San Marcos but was currently residing in Tampa, Florida. Coordinating with the Texas Rangers and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Florida, law enforcement obtained a DNA sample from Rodriguez. A subsequent DPS lab report confirmed that the new DNA sample was a match with the evidence collected in 2004.

The San Marcos Police Department, with assistance from the Hays County District Attorney's Office and HCSO detectives, apprehended Rodriguez in Florida on Monday, September 25. He now faces two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault and awaits extradition to Texas, where justice will take its course.

Cpl. Templeton's pivotal role in reviving this cold case did not go unnoticed, as Sgt. Michael Casillas remarked, "Corporal Templeton’s initial review of the cold case and recognition that it had potential to be solved, then taking the steps to get this going was instrumental in solving this case."

The collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation bore fruit, bringing a sense of closure to the survivor. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed his hope for her healing, stating, "I hope the victim can begin healing knowing that the man who committed this gruesome crime is behind bars."

The San Marcos Police Department extended its gratitude to the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) for providing crucial assistance in funding the investigation. This Department of Justice program supports agencies in pursuing cold cases related to homicides and sexual assaults. SMPD also acknowledged the indispensable role played by CODIS in handling multiple testing requests from their agency.

SMPD Cpl. Brady Templeton, who traveled to Florida to advance the investigation, emphasized, "This arrest would not have been possible without this funding from the DOJ."

The success of this arrest marks the ninth successful lead generated since the inception of the SAKI program in 2019, underscoring the program's significance in bringing closure to cases like the one in San Marcos.