POLICE Department
Serial Rape Suspect Arrested, Additional Victims Sought
June 13, 2016 - Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in a series of sexual assaults dating from 2014.
The suspect, Marquis V. Tate (b/m, 33), is charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual assault in the 338th State District Court. A photo of Tate is attached to this news release.
HPD Special Victims Division Sergeant W. Madden and Officer M. Fortson reported:
Officers investigating a possible serial rapist in the 5th Ward area identified 13 sexual assault cases with similar suspect and vehicle description and/or area of assault. In five of those cases, DNA matches were determined, however, no known suspect was in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database. The case was further complicated by several victims either not wanting to pursue the case or being difficult to locate, with some having moved away from Houston or even out of Texas. However, several possible suspects were identified and investigated. One lead took officers to the Fort Worth area where a registered sex offender advised he had sold a vehicle described in multiple reports.
The former vehicle owner was able to provide officers with the new owner's name and contact information, leading to the identification of Tate as a suspect in this case. He has subsequently been linked either through DNA analysis or photo identification to seven cases. He has been charged in those cases and, on June 1, he was arrested by HPD officers without incident at 1919 Runnels.
It is believed he began targeting women in 2012, however from 2013-2014 there were no reported sex assaults matching his description. Further investigation determined he was living out of state at that time.
It is also possible there may be additional victims. HPD is asking anyone who believes she may have been sexually assaulted by Tate to contact the HPD Special Victims Division- Adult Sex Crimes Unit at 713-308-1180.
suspect Marquis Tate
KJS/JFC 6-13-16
Inc. #074791716
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
