Donald Wayne Tipps had been a Harris County deputy for some 20 years until August when he made a service call to Cloverleaf in east Harris County. There, he encountered a woman with an outstanding warrant.
"Where Deputy Donald Wayne Tipps sexually assaulted the complainant by forcing her to have oral sex," said Harris County prosecutor Lauren Byrne..
The day after the alleged incident, Tipps resigned from the sheriff's office, even as an investigation began. The woman who accused tipps of coerced her had filed a complaint.
"The elements allege in the official oppression charge indicates she had an open warrant and that in lieu of taking her to jail, he persuaded her to have oral sex," said Byrne.
Tipps is charged with both sexual assault and official oppression. Because he was a public servant at the time of the alleged assault and because of his decades-long tenure in law enforcement, the DA's office is investigating whether there could be other cases that involve Tipps.
"I can't say whether there is or isn't, but we do have a concern for public safety and if there is anyone who is a victim or anyone who has knowledge, we urge them to come forward," said Burne.
The DA's office would like for people who may have been victims to contact them at 713-755-7077 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
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