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Two men sentenced to prison in separate child sexual assault cases Staff Reports Two men were recently sentenced to state prison on separate charges stemming from sexual abuse of a child, according to a press release from the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office. On August 26, Carlos Larios, 47, of Houston, was sentenced by a Fort Bend County jury to 32 years in prison for continuous abuse of a young child. The same day, 240th District Judge Surendran Pattel sentenced Hector Manuel Rodriguez, 53, of Brookshire, to 30 years in prison for two charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Carlos Larios, 47, of Houston, was recently sentenced to 32 years in prison after being convicted for continuous abuse of a young child.
Hector Manuel Rodriguez, 53, of Brookshire, was recently sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Larios was convicted in the 400th District Court before Presiding Judge Tameika Carter. The child disclosed the sexual abuse to her mother, who then contacted law enforcement, according to the release. The child was interviewed at Child Advocates of Fort Bend and disclosed years of sexual abuse by Larios. “A survivor’s voice is often silenced by perpetrators, but that very same voice can become the most powerful weapon in combating sexual abuse” said lead prosecutor Tristyl McInnis My hope is that every survivor finds their voice.” “The mother in this case did the right thing by calling the police,” District Attorney Brian Middleton said. “All parents should listen to their children and contact law enforcement if a child makes a disclosure of sexual abuse. If you see something, say something.”
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Fort Bend Transit expands existing service to UH main campus Staff Reports This week, Fort Bend County Transit and the University of Houston begin an expansion of the existing Downtown Commuter Service tailored to benefit students in the Fort Bend County area. The new partnership introduces a drop-off point at the UH Main campus in Houston, providing students with easer access to the campus. The fare for the Downtown Commuter service is
$4 each way, providing an affordable solution for students commuting from Sugar Land to their classes. The service will maintain its current timing and frequency. “We’re very grateful for this partnership that will allow our students to pursue their academic goals in Sugar Land and on the UH main campus,” Jay Neal, Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs and Chief Operating Officer for UH at Sugar Land, said in a press release. “This collaboration
is an example of the community support that is a strength of our region and a cornerstone for our growth and success.”
“I applaud Fort Bend Transit and the University of Houston for working together on this expansion of services,” Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George said in the release. “This collaborative effort will open up valuable educational opportunities for our commuter students in Fort Bend County, making it easier for them to enhance their education and access the resources they need to succeed.” “We are thrilled to partner with the University of Hous-
ton to provide this added convenience for students. This new stop will make commuting to the UH main campus more accessible for those living in Fort Bend County, supporting their academic success,” said Perri D’Armond, Transit Director for Fort Bend County. For more information on the new stop and the Downtown Commuter service, visit our website at www. FBCTransit.org or contact Fort Bend County Transit at 281-633-RIDE (7433).
Weeks named Fort Bend County Libraries director Staff Reports Fort Bend County Commissioners Court announced the appointment of Roosevelt Weeks as Library Director of the Fort Bend County library system on Tuesday, August 27. He will assume the role on October 7. “I am honored to join Fort Bend County Libraries and eager to work alongside the talented team here,” Weeks said in a news release. Weeks brings more than two decades of experience in library leadership, most recently as Library Director at the Austin Public Library system, where he has worked for the past seven years. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Director/ Chief of Staff at the Houston Public Library system for 11 years. He also served as Chief Technology Officer at HPL. According to the release, Weeks’s goal is “to empower individuals with the tools they need to ensure a future workforce capable of the complex critical-thinking skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing competitive environment.” Weeks has received numerous awards, including being named Texas Librarian of the Year by the Texas Library Association in 2023, receiving the University of North Texas Outstanding
Alumni Award in 2023, and earning the “I Love My Librarian” national award from the American Library Association in 2016. Weeks is an active member of several library organizations, including the Texas Library Association, where he served on the executive board, the American Library Association, the Public Library Association, and the Urban Library Council, where he holds the position of Past Board Chair. His involvement in these organizations underscores his commitment to the library profession and his role as a thought leader in the field. Weeks attended Texas Southern University, where he received an undergraduate degree in Computer Science. He was awarded his master’s degree in library science from the University of North Texas. He and his wife, Valecia, are members of the Holman Street Baptist Church in Houston, where he serves as a deacon. The Fort Bend County Libraries system consists of a main library – George Memorial Library in Richmond – and 10 branch libraries located throughout the county, as well as management of the Fort Bend County Willie Melton Russell Weeks has been appointed Director of the Fort Bend County Libraries system. Courtesy Fort Bend County Libraries Law Library.
Houston Humane Society assists in rescue of three neglected horses in Fort Bend Staff Reports Houston Humane Society recently assisted in the rescue of three horses from deplorable conditions in Fort Bend County, according to a news release from the nonprofit agency. The horses – one male and two females – were found to be living in an unsanitary environment without access to food and were all observed to be malnourished due to neglect.
The animals were brought to the Houston Humane Society in partnership with animal cruelty investigators from the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. The animals will remain in the shelter’s care following a court decision. “This operation was a result of close collaboration with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Livestock Unit and the Houston Humane Society, whose expertise and dedica-
tion to animal welfare were instrumental in ensuring these animals were safely removed from harmful conditions,” Sheriff Eric Fagan aid in the release. “This partnership highlights our shared commitment to protecting all members of our community, including our four-legged friends. Together, we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that neglect and cruelty have no place in Fort Bend County.”
“Animal welfare is at the heart of our mission at Houston Humane Society, and we are committed to providing these horses with the necessary medical attention, shelter and compassion they deserve while they recover,” said Gary Poon, president and CEO of Houston Humane Society. said in the release. “We’re grateful to Fort Bend County Sheriff Fagan and his team for helping us make sure these horses
get a second chance at life.” The horses are being rehabilitated at Houston Humane Society and will become eligible for adoption once they have fully recovered. The nonprofit shelter relies on the generosity of the community to provide the essential care and support needed by such animals. To learn more about the agency’s programs and services, visit www.houstonhumane. org.
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