A grand jury in Webb County, Texas has indicted 42-year-old Sergio Mendez nearly a decade after the alleged attempted sexual assault and murder of 33-year-old Janette Escamilla Jaramillo in 2016. Through advanced forensic methods, investigators from the Texas Rangers and Laredo Police Department were able to identify Mendez as the culprit in the case. Jaramillo’s body was found under a skate ramp at Seven Flags Park after she failed to make it home from work at around midnight, just blocks away from where she lived. It was determined that she had been brutally strangled in what appeared to be an attempted sexual assault.
Surveillance footage showed Jaramillo walking with an unidentified person approximately 30 minutes after leaving her job. The suspect was described as tall with short, cropped hair and wearing a trash bag, likely due to the rainy weather that night. Despite the evidence, there was not enough to make an arrest at the time. However, in 2021, investigators were able to secure funding through the Department of Justice for the case to be included in the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative program. The initiative allows for further investigation into unsolved sexual assaults and sexually-related homicides by providing funds for advanced DNA testing.
The funding allowed investigators to conduct advanced DNA testing, which ultimately led to Mendez being identified as a suspect in the case. On March 12, a grand jury indicted Mendez for the crimes. He is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in Edinburg, Texas for an unrelated crime. The case highlights the importance of continued investigation into cold cases, as advancements in forensic technology can lead to the identification and prosecution of perpetrators many years after the crimes were committed.
The case of Janette Escamilla Jaramillo serves as an example of the perseverance and dedication of law enforcement agencies in seeking justice for victims and their families. Through the use of advanced forensic methods and funding for DNA testing, investigators were able to make progress in a case that had gone cold for nearly a decade. The indictment of Sergio Mendez demonstrates that no crime will go unpunished, and that law enforcement will continue to work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.
The collaboration between the Texas Rangers, Laredo Police Department, and the Department of Justice showcases the importance of partnerships in solving complex cases. By pooling their resources and expertise, these agencies were able to make significant advancements in the investigation of Jaramillo’s case. The indictment of Mendez stands as a testament to the power of teamwork and the impact that can be made when law enforcement agencies work together towards a common goal of seeking justice.
While the tragic death of Janette Escamilla Jaramillo can never be undone, the indictment of Sergio Mendez brings a sense of closure to the case for her family and loved ones. By holding Mendez accountable for his alleged actions, the justice system aims to provide a sense of justice and peace to those affected by this heinous crime. The case also serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the determination of law enforcement to ensure that victims are not forgotten, no matter how much time has passed.
