Ex-Deputy Constable Indicted On Two Counts Of Sexual Assault

HOUSTON — A Harris County grand jury has indicted a former deputy constable on two counts of sexual assault and one count count of official oppression, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Thursday.

Former Harris County deputy constable Richard Cornejo, 37, was arrested by Houston Police on Thursday morning at his home without incident.

Cornejo was known to patrol areas around Greenspoint and near an after hours club called Palacios at 414 N. Sam Houston Parkway, where he targeted his victims, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said.

Investigators in the case said Cornejo would stake out the parking lot of the after hours club, and target women as they were leaving. Cornejo allegedly conducted traffic stops of these women.

Acevedo said Cornejo would then follow the women to their homes, or another location near the club where the sexual assaults happened.

On July 28, 2018, Cornejo was on duty and driving a marked patrol SUV when investigators with the Harris County DA's Office said he found a woman passed out in her vehicle outside the after hours club.

Investigators said Cornejo woke the woman and allegedly discovered a part of a marijuana cigarette during a vehicle search. Investigators said Cornejo offered to follow the woman home, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

The woman reported the incident to HPD in November 2018, Acevedo said. HPD investigators contacted Harris County Pct. Constable Mark Herman’s Office, who launched an internal affairs investigation, and placed Cornejo on administrative leave.

Cornejo, who claimed the sex was consentual, was fired in November 2018, officials said.

"He had a duty to protect the public," Ogg said. "He instead used his badge to commit the crime of rape."

Acevedo said Friday that so far, two women had come forward and accused Cornejo, and asked other potential victims to come forward.

“We believe there are other victims out there of this man...,” Acevedo said.

Cornejo faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the sexual assault and a year behind bars for official oppression, investigators said.

Meanwhile, the after-hours club was closed earlier this year after the DA’s office received complaints of drugs and alcohol violations.

Victims are urged to call the Houston Police Internal Affairs Division at 713-308-8900.

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