Convicted Felon Assaults Pregnant Woman

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – A Crockett man was arrested and charged with two felonies on Saturday, Feb. 11 after it was alleged he had attempted to strangle a female who was eight months pregnant with his child.

Jimmie Lee Brown, 29, was booked into custody on one count of assaulting a family member or a member of a household by impeding breathing or circulation. Brown also was charged with assault causing bodily injury to a date, family member or member of a household with a previous conviction.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Crockett Police Department officers were dispatched to 402 S. Second St. at approximately 12:08 a.m. on Feb.11 in reference to a “physical disturbance.”

“The caller advised that Jimmie Brown had assaulted her and had fled the scene. (The caller also) told the dispatcher that Brown was in possession of a firearm,” the affidavit indicated.

When the officers arrived at the location, the affidavit reported they met with the victim who was visibly upset.

“She refused medical attention, but I (Sgt. Alfredo Fajardo) had an ambulance respond anyway because (the victim) said she was eight months pregnant with Brown’s child,” the affidavit stated.

As the police sergeant was gathering information on the incident, the probable cause document indicated the victim informed Fajardo she and Brown had been in a relationship for approximately one year.

“She stated that on this night, they were at the residence when Brown asked to borrow her cellular phone,” the report stated. “After getting the phone, Brown got upset when he saw a message on her phone from her other babies’ father.”

At this point, “… Brown then grabbed her by the throat with his hands and pushed her down on the couch. He then strangled (the victim) two times, each for several seconds, causing her not to be able to breath,” the affidavit stated.

The report further indicated the victim fought back and Brown eventually let her go “… grabbed his handgun from the living room and left. Also, according to (the victim), Brown had assaulted her in the past.”

It also was reported in the affidavit that Brown was a convicted felon.

As the search began to locate Brown’s whereabouts, he was observed in the 200 block of Lovers Lane and detained by Houston County Sheriff’s Deputy Detric Murray and CPD Corporal Todd Little.

The report stated when Brown was questioned, he admitted to having been in an argument with the victim “… but denied that he had assaulted her or that he had left with a firearm. Brown was searched and found not to be in possession of the firearm.”

When the victim was asked if she wanted to press charges, the affidavit indicated she did. As a result, “… Brown was placed under arrest and taken to the jail. It was later confirmed, by reviewing Brown’s complete criminal history, that he had been convicted of assault causing bodily injury on Sept. 29, 2010 in Houston County.”

The two assault charges are both considered third degree felonies. According to Section 12.34 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 10 years or less than two years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”

Brown is being held at the Houston County Jail on a total bond of $20,000.

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].