HOUSTON – Authorities are searching for a man now accused of sexually assaulting a University of Houston (UH) student at knifepoint after he was released from custody due to insufficient evidence at the time of his arrest.
Now, the University of Houston says their police department submitted information to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to secure charges against Eric Brown.
Incident Details
According to charging documents, the attack happened around 5:30 p.m. on Friday when a 21-year-old UH student was cleaning out her car. The victim reported that 40-year-old Eric Brown approached her, asked for a pen, and then violently pushed her to the ground, assaulting her at knifepoint. She says the suspect also stole her mail, $30 in cash, and fled the scene.
The victim was able to flag down a UH police officer and provided a description of Brown. About six hours later, UH officers spotted him in a parking garage wearing clothes matching the description given by the victim. Surveillance footage confirmed his presence at the scene.
When officers attempted to detain him, Brown resisted arrest, leading to a physical altercation that resulted in one officer sustaining a hand injury. Police used a Taser to subdue Brown and took him into custody.
Charges Initially Declined
The University of Houston said it’s police department sent its probable cause against Brown, including sexual assault, resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer, to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. However, booking documents shows prosecutors declined the resisting arrest and assault charges because, at that time, the DA’s office determined there was insufficient evidence. This led to Brown’s release just hours later.
In a statement emailed to KPRC 2, the University of Houston said the following:
“The University of Houston Police Department confirms that the probable cause for the arrest of the individual taken into custody Friday, Feb. 7, was the sexual assault charge. This information was disclosed to the District Attorney’s office. The additional charges would not have existed or been presented but for the apprehension of the suspect for the sexual assault.”
Charges Accepted Days Later
Five days after his release, the DA’s office accepted charges against Brown for two counts of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated robbery. However, by then, Brown was no longer in custody, and law enforcement agencies are now working to locate him.
Expert Weighs In
Former Harris County Felony Chief of Intake, Brian Foley, explained that such delays in charge acceptance are not unusual.
“This is not uncommon... Overall, Houston is overwhelmed with its crime load,” Foley said.
DA’s Response
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office is disputing what the University of Houston says. In their response, the district attorney’s office says they were not originally presented charges against Brown regarding sexual assault
“The prosecutors at the Harris County District Attorney’s Intake Division were not initially presented charges regarding sexual assault, though there was mention that the defendant could possibly be a suspect. After the initial discussion with law enforcement, charges were filed for assault of a public servant and resisting arrest. Upon further review, those charges were declined.
Afterwards, members of the HCDAO Adult Sexual Assault Division contacted law enforcement to determine the status of the sexual assault investigation, and the decision was made by our prosecutors to file a charge of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated robbery.
We are actively working with law enforcement to ensure that this violent offender is arrested for these allegations, and the decision to decline the two initial charges is under review by leadership at the Intake Division.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information on Brown’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately.
