On Wednesday, Dec. 20, Jordan Lee Carroll, 23, entered guilty pleas to six felony charges and was sentenced to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, announced First Assistant District Attorney Benjamin I. Kaminar.
In June 2023, Carroll forced his way into an ex-girlfriend’s apartment at 2:00 a.m. and held her captive for several hours.
Carroll physically and sexually assaulted her multiple times, including strangling her and breaking her front teeth, killed her kitten in front of her, and threatened to kill her mother if she reported him to law enforcement.
While Carroll was taking bloody sheets outside to dispose of, the woman locked him out of the apartment and escaped by jumping from a second-story window.
Reno police, Lamar County Sheriff’s deputies, and a Texas Ranger extensively documented the assault, including blood on the outside of the window where the woman escaped, and recovered Carroll’s DNA during the investigation.
Carroll was captured six days later after fleeing from law enforcement.
His case was scheduled for a jury trial in January 2024.
“Carroll’s brutal actions earned him this lengthy prison sentence,” said Kaminar. “His guilty plea spares the victim the ordeal of a trial and appeal, allowing her to enjoy the holidays with her family while her abuser is sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.” The plea agreement of 40 years was reached after consulting with the victim.
After Carroll entered his guilty plea before Judge Wes Tidwell, the victim presented her victim impact statement.
As her friends and family watched from the court gallery, she told Carroll despite the evil he had inflicted, he could never take her goodness from her.
Judge Tidwell entered a lifetime protective order and ordered Carroll to register as a sex offender for life “if and when” he is released from prison.
“This young woman had the courage and presence of mind to seize her opportunity to escape from Carroll,” said District Attorney Gary Young. “We commend the quick and thorough response from law enforcement, especially Reno police chief Jeremy Massey and Texas Ranger Stacy McNeal.”
The plea was taken in the 6th District Court before Judge Wes Tidwell. Carroll was prosecuted by Benjamin Kaminar; he was represented by John LaGrappe of Houston.
Carroll must serve at least 20 years of his sentence before being eligible for parole consideration.
