Sex assault suspect sentenced to 25 years on burglary charge, court documents show

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man accused of breaking into a West University home and attempting to sexually assault a woman was sentenced to prison on a burglary charge on Thursday, court records show.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Man arrested after allegedly breaking into woman's home near West U, sexually assaulting her: HPD

According to court documents obtained by ABC13, Jose Dela Garza was sentenced to 25 years on one count of burglary with intent to commit another felony.

Dela Garza was initially charged with two counts of attempted sexual assault, records show, with these charges being dismissed as part of a plea deal.

The charges came after a break-in in June 2025 that was caught on camera on the victim's surveillance video inside her apartment at the Village and West University.

In the videos, a man, whom police identified as Dela Garza, is seen prowling inside a victim's living room at 6 a.m. on June 12.

"It's alleged you entered complaining witness's residence while she was sleeping, you went to her bedroom and put your hand over her mouth and told her to be quiet," read out a magistrate judge during the initial hearing. He then read out details on how Dela Garza allegedly attempted to have the woman perform oral sex and also penetrate her. Court documents show the woman fought back, and Dela Garza allegedly ran away from the apartments.

Police previously said that they believed Dela Garza was linked to several peeping tom cases at the Inverness at River Oaks apartment since January and March 2025.