A former corrections officer in South Texas has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting two female inmates at a county jail.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña imposed the 240-month term on Hector Humberto Rodriguez Jr., 29, earlier this month in Webb County. The sentence includes five years of supervised release afterward, and Rodriguez must register as a sex offender.
At the hearing, the court described Rodriguez’s “predatory conduct,” the danger he posed to the community, and how he abused a system meant to protect victims by exploiting his position of authority.
Rodriguez, previously employed by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, pleaded guilty on December 30, 2024. The assaults took place on separate occasions in January 2022 at the Webb County jail. While on duty, Rodriguez removed the women from their cells, took them to isolated areas, and used force, threats, and coercion to assault them.
Rodriguez remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentence. The FBI and the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
