HCSO: DNA links man to 2008 sexual assault of 14-year-old
HOUSTON
Alonzo Havies, 18, is already behind bars in another county, serving time for a crime of which he's already convicted. He will be brought back to Houston and held here at the Harris County Jail to face a charge of sexual assault. His mother believes authorities who've been looking into the case have it all wrong.
Three years ago, a 14-year-old freshman at Cypress Springs High claims two men attacked and raped her behind the school. The trail in the investigation has been cold -- until now.
"She said that at some point, over the last several months, the last year, that they had given up hope that anybody would ever be caught. So that was an extremely gratifying moment for me," Sgt. J.D. Philpot said.
Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators identified Havies as the alleged rapist through a DNA match. His DNA was already on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Havies, who is currently in prison for burglary, had to submit a sample as part of his conviction.
"I'm sure it wasn't rape. I'm sure of that," said the suspect's mother, LoRachel Havies.
Havies says her son, the youngest of 12, is no rapist. She claims he was popular with the girls at Cypress Springs High, where he was also student, and says he had no reason to force himself on anyone.
"He had so many girlfriends, they'd be calling my house all the time. May I speak to Zo, may I speak to Zo. They'd call all the time, wanting to talk to him," LoRachel said.
Havies says her son is innocent, despite a DNA match, which is undoubtedly the most telling piece of evidence. She fears what this will mean for her son's future.
"'I'm going to college, I'm going to become a businessman, a lawyer, mom. I'm going to make you proud of me.' I know he is. It's just not fair for him to go through this," she said.
Investigators plan to speak with Havies once they bring him back to get info on the second suspect. They believe there may be more victims. We were unable to reach the alleged victim in this case for a comment.