50 year old Henry Tates and the district attorney’s office entered a plea agreement where Tates was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
The 29 year old victim, who is a woman with Down’s Syndrome, has a lifetime protection order against Tates.
A news release from the DA’s office says the victim being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease led to Tates’s arrest.
Online jail records show Tates arrest in October 2022 was his 21st booking since March of 1993.
Online court records show Tates convictions includes three DWI’s and three times for driving with an invalid or a suspended license.
News release from the Brazos County district attorney’s office:
Henry Craig Tates, of Bryan, Texas was sentenced to 30 years in prison for two counts of Sexual Assault of a Disabled Individual and a lifetime protective order for the victim.
In March 2022, S.W. a 29 year old woman with Down Syndrome, had an appointment with her doctor after experiencing genital pain. S.W. has the mental abilities of a third grader, according to experts. During this visit, she was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease.
When her aunt learned of this diagnosis, she asked S.W how she got a STD. S.W. immediately responded that her step-dad, Henry Tates, had sex with her. Medical tests later confirmed that S.W., Tates, and S.W.’s mother all had the same STD.
S.W. was taken to Baylor Scott and White for a Sexual Assault exam. While there, S.W. shared further details of the sexual assault with medical personnel. She also described fear that she would not be believed.
During a forensic interview at Scotty’s House Child Advocacy Center, she described forcible acts of sexual assault, as well as additional acts of groping.
Bryan Police Department Detective Stephen Davis interviewed Tates. During this interview, Tates admitted that S.W. could not consent to sex because she has Downs Syndrome and that he was a father figure in her life. Tates also admitted to digital penetration. After being confronted with the results of the STD testing, Tates admitted to additional sexual assault acts.
Statement from assistant district attorney’s Kristin Burns and Ryan Golden: “Taking advantage of this young woman is disgraceful. Protecting her and others from his predatory nature is our honor.”