GUILTY TX - Billy Joe Harris for rapes of elderly women in 6 counties, 2011

[Texas Mist]

I wonder if this freak has some connection to medical supplies or pharmaceuticals, or if he works in a govt agency dealing w/ Social Security or Medicare...maybe that's how he gets their names & addresses.

It would be too creepy if this monster was in Austin -- it's pretty much in the center of where he's attacking....and plenty of state & federal offices to get his hands on data.

And he would have access to I-35, SH 183 (which connects to SH77), and getting to I-10 is no big deal either.

 

[Missizzy]

Texas Mist--I see I'm confused about locations. The articles I read all mentioned towns in South Texas but now I see he is in Central Texas too. Are you referring to 183--the highway which runs north from Austin to Lampasas? I used to drive down that road all the time and there used to be only one stop sign between Liberty Hill and Austin and that was at Burnet Road. Obviously, I know what it looks like now.

It's just a little too close for comfort as my Momma is in Cedar Park in a nursing home. But she walks around outside all the time and is friendly to everyone. I spoke to a dear friend of hers in Liberty Hill and the ladies are terrified. I thought it was really sweet that some of the teen boys are escorting the women home from church and meetings late in the evening. But this is well planned and geared to terrorize. He's hitting at the dead hour and LE must be going crazy. How do they know what/who to look for?

Have you heard whether the women are describing a black man or simply a man with darker skin tone? There's some towns where a black man would stand out and others where he wouldn't. A Latino man with darker skin wouldn't stand out anywhere in the area.

Once again, please be careful. I know you don't fit the target age but you never know when he might branch out.

 

[Texas Mist]

Texas Mist--I see I'm confused about locations. The articles I read all mentioned towns in South Texas but now I see he is in Central Texas too. Are you referring to 183--the highway which runs north from Austin to Lampasas? I used to drive down that road all the time and there used to be only one stop sign between Liberty Hill and Austin and that was at Burnet Road. Obviously, I know what it looks like now.

It's just a little too close for comfort as my Momma is in Cedar Park in a nursing home. But she walks around outside all the time and is friendly to everyone. I spoke to a dear friend of hers in Liberty Hill and the ladies are terrified. I thought it was really sweet that some of the teen boys are escorting the women home from church and meetings late in the evening. But this is well planned and geared to terrorize. He's hitting at the dead hour and LE must be going crazy. How do they know what/who to look for?

Have you heard whether the women are describing a black man or simply a man with darker skin tone? There's some towns where a black man would stand out and others where he wouldn't. A Latino man with darker skin wouldn't stand out anywhere in the area.

Once again, please be careful. I know you don't fit the target age but you never know when he might branch out.

Yep - it goes to Lampasas...I was thinking it's a state highway but it's actually a U.S. highway -- here's a pic...you can see how it goes north & south

Also, it hits hwy 77 in Cuero -- and hwy 77 goes to Yoakum.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q...code_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ8gEwAA


Here's another good map for visualizing how the highways connect -- you can zoom in & the highway names show up better

http://www.sitesatlas.com/Flash/USCan/TXFH.htm

ETA -- I'm glad the nursing home folks are taking this seriously!! And I'm glad I don't live alone either!!

 

[2curious]

Texas Mist--For heaven's sake, be careful!!

A newspaper delivery guy was what I was thinking too. That doesn't mean he's actually doing it, though. He could just act as if he is. They typically drop off papers starting at 4 am or so.

Has anyone seen mention of dogs barking or alerting or even trying to protect? I've noticed with my own "pack" that they rarely bark at the newspaper guy. I guess they think he's boring. If someone was using that guise, they'd know the routine and not raise suspicions.

A newspaper carrier is the first thing I thought of after reading the time of day that these crimes happened. They would also know a change of address. They are out in the early morning hours and hardly noticed.

This just makes me furious!
A lady lives a long life, probably worked hard raising children and has grandchildren and this happens.....:furious:

 

[Ruflossn]

I wonder if this freak has some connection to medical supplies or pharmaceuticals, or if he works in a govt agency dealing w/ Social Security or Medicare...maybe that's how he gets their names & addresses.

It would be too creepy if this monster was in Austin -- it's pretty much in the center of where he's attacking....and plenty of state & federal offices to get his hands on data.

And he would have access to I-35, SH 183 (which connects to SH77), and getting to I-10 is no big deal either.

Do we know where his first crime occurred? Normally, in these situations, the creep starts out committing crimes close to home. He gradually gets more comfortable and "branches out".

 

[Texas Mist]

Do we know where his first crime occurred? Normally, in these situations, the creep starts out committing crimes close to home. He gradually gets more comfortable and "branches out".

Ruflossn, I'm still looking for where the 1st attack occurred -- looks like they started a year ago.


Serial rapist preying on elderly Central Texas women

by NOELLE NEWTON / KVUE News

Posted on December 14, 2009 at 4:40 PM

Updated Monday, Dec 14 at 5:08 PM
******

A serial rapist is targeting elderly women. Eight different law enforcement agencies are working to catch him.

Green's Sausage House is the social hub of rural East Bell County. People come for good food and good conversation. But, even in here there is no escape from reality. A sexual predator has taken advantage of their small town trust.

"It’s sad,” homeowner Levon Johnson said.

"It’s very difficult. Its one of the things you hear about but you would never think it would happen in your area,” storeowner Marvin Green said.

Investigators say two elderly women in the communities of Zabickville and Seaton were raped by a burglar in their homes.

"They would wake up, sit up, whatever, and they would locate the person inside the residence,” Bell County Deputy James Lewing said.

Lewing says both attacks happened in the early morning hours. The phone lines had been tampered with hindering the victim’s ability to get help.

"He's feeding off of poor elderly women who can be my mother, my grandmother,” Lewing said.

Once Lewing began alerting neighboring agencies to the attacks, which occurred in August and September, he discovered 10 other incidents dating back to January (2009). The majority of the attacks are in the Temple area but go as far south as Yoakum off Interstate 10.

The victims range in age from 65 to 91.

Lewing thinks the predator studies his victims, sometimes breaking in once before attacking. The scariest part is what he doesn’t know.

"We don’t know how many victims we might have,” he said.

Lewing is most concerned with those living along Highway 77 or 95.

The ladies in Bell County are not taking any chances.

http://www.kvue.com/news/Serial-rapist-preying-on-elderly-Central-Texas-women-79255722.html

The above link shows some of the towns where the "Twilight Rapist" has struck -- Temple, Rosebud, Seaton, Bastrop, Luling, Zabickville, and Yoakum.

In addition to the difficult task of investigating attacks that happened as far as 200 miles from each other, authorities have found that some victims don't have the best memories.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100118/ap_on_re_us/us_elderly_rapist_texas

 

[IWannaKnow]

I am also worried about this. My 78 y.o. widowed mother lives alone in North Texas, not a place he has hit, but this is exactly the type thing I worry could happen. And mom is not shy about opening the door for people and asking them in. After all, it would be rude to leave them on the porch! Never mind that she doesn't know them!

I don't believe a newspaper guy would have delivery routes in towns sooooo spread out. I'm thinking more of a salesman type person. Who else would have information on older, single women living alone in towns separated by 200 miles? Salesmen can have very large territories, and if he were selling life insurance, or long term care insurance? Something like that. Maybe he waits long enough for them to forget that he came by. I know that could easily happen with my mother. That would get him in the house to see what is what, then wait for the time to be right....like 4 am. And if this person isn't in a relationship and doesn't call home regularly to talk to mommy, who would be the wiser to his movements? The home company? The type of business I'm thinking of doesn't keep track of their employees that way....not like utility companies or newspapers. And I do feel that the territory is too large to be utilities or newspapers. Something more regional....

 

[IWannaKnow]

Texas Mist -
One of your links state that the first attack was the woman in Yoakum who was robbed:

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/79225272.html
"The first attack was on Jan. 23 in Yoakum where a 66-year-old woman was raped and robbed of $12,000."

So, that would have been Jan 23, 2009. And made off with $12,000. Now what I would really like to know is who moved and he found her again? I haven't seen that reported in the articles, just saw it mentioned here. He would have to have some good information to be able to track her across town. I didn't insert that information from another case, did I?

I'm the pits with maps but I wonder if a map with the dates and cities would help at all?

I copied this over from the link above from Texas Mist - BBM:
"The latest incident happened involved a break-in and attempted sexual assault on Nov. 24 in Luling.

The victim was a 79-year-old woman.

The first attack was on Jan. 23 in Yoakum where a 66-year-old woman was raped and robbed of $12,000.

In Central Texas, a woman was raped in July in Leon County.

In August, a woman in her early 90s was attacked and robbed in rural Bell County.

Another attack was reported on Sept. 5 in Leon County.

On Sept. 11, a 90-year-old woman was raped in Bell County.

The next day, a woman in Leon County reported that burglar bars had been removed from her home.

On Oct. 10, an elderly woman was attacked in her home just outside of Marlin in Falls County.

Two weeks later, an elderly woman in Leon County heard an intruder in her home, grabbed a gun and scared off the would-be attacker.

Another attack was reported on Nov. 9 in Yoakum."

One thing I noticed was that he was bouncing back and forth between Leon Co. and Bell County between July and September. Only six days between an attack in Leon Co and then an attack in Bell County. What would have him bouncing back and forth between these areas in such a short time??

 

[Ruflossn]

I am also worried about this. My 78 y.o. widowed mother lives alone in North Texas, not a place he has hit, but this is exactly the type thing I worry could happen. And mom is not shy about opening the door for people and asking them in. After all, it would be rude to leave them on the porch! Never mind that she doesn't know them!

IWK~
I love being from the south. Your quote about leaving them on the porch made me smile. It is so true. But,times have changed and unfortunately offering someone a cup of coffee or an ice tea isn't the safe thing to do.
: (

Flossie

 

[Ruflossn]

Texas Mist ~
Thanks for the maps etc....... they helped me visualize the crime layouts etc.......

Flossie

 

[Texas Mist]

Texas Mist -
One of your links state that the first attack was the woman in Yoakum who was robbed:

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/79225272.html
"The first attack was on Jan. 23 in Yoakum where a 66-year-old woman was raped and robbed of $12,000."

So, that would have been Jan 23, 2009. And made off with $12,000. Now what I would really like to know is who moved and he found her again? I haven't seen that reported in the articles, just saw it mentioned here. He would have to have some good information to be able to track her across town. I didn't insert that information from another case, did I?

I'm the pits with maps but I wonder if a map with the dates and cities would help at all?

I copied this over from the link above from Texas Mist - BBM:
"The latest incident happened involved a break-in and attempted sexual assault on Nov. 24 in Luling.

The victim was a 79-year-old woman.

The first attack was on Jan. 23 in Yoakum where a 66-year-old woman was raped and robbed of $12,000.

In Central Texas, a woman was raped in July in Leon County.

In August, a woman in her early 90s was attacked and robbed in rural Bell County.

Another attack was reported on Sept. 5 in Leon County.

On Sept. 11, a 90-year-old woman was raped in Bell County.

The next day, a woman in Leon County reported that burglar bars had been removed from her home.

On Oct. 10, an elderly woman was attacked in her home just outside of Marlin in Falls County.

Two weeks later, an elderly woman in Leon County heard an intruder in her home, grabbed a gun and scared off the would-be attacker.

Another attack was reported on Nov. 9 in Yoakum."

One thing I noticed was that he was bouncing back and forth between Leon Co. and Bell County between July and September. Only six days between an attack in Leon Co and then an attack in Bell County. What would have him bouncing back and forth between these areas in such a short time??

IWK - it was one of the Yoakum vics that moved & was attacked again...it was in a couple of links,IIRC, but here's another with the AP story:

Two women were attacked — one of them twice — in Yoakum, a quiet town surrounded by wide-open ranches about 100 miles east of San Antonio.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news...owns-498636.html?cxtype=rss_nation-world_6244

 

[IWannaKnow]

Texas Mist - thank you for the link, it states this:
"Beginning with the rape of a 65-year-old woman in Yoakum last January,"

"A 66-year-old woman was attacked twice, despite having moved across town following the first assault."

"Two women were attacked — one of them twice — in Yoakum, a quiet town surrounded by wide-open ranches about 100 miles east of San Antonio."
**********************************************************
First woman 65 y.o. on January 23, 2009.
Second woman 66 y.o. on November 9, 2009.

Those are the only mention of Yoakum I see. Who is to say it is two different women? Maybe this is the same woman, had a birthday between Jan. and Nov.? Wouldn't there be another date listed if one was raped twice, giving three dates total in Yoakum?? Am I wrong to think this might be the only victim in Yoakum, despite what the media has written?

 

[IWannaKnow]

hmmmmmm

http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/apr/21/lw_calvinmiller_042209_47291/

Charges pending in Yoakum sex assault, robbery

Originally published April 21, 2009 at 11:11 p.m., updated April 21, 2009 at 11:11 p.m.
********************************************************
Seems they arrested this guy, but he isn't the one. Article said both women were on their way to church....

**************************************************************
This is a good one too... http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/dec/17/s_yoakum_rapes_121809_78228/?counties&local-news

Serial rapist linked to Yoakum elderly assaults

A 66-year-old Yoakum woman was assaulted in January then again in November after moving.

A 79-year old woman was sexually assaulted in February.
*****************************************************************

Church seems to be a link. This article says both women were going to church (at 4:00 am?) and another article says one woman played the piano at her church....wonder if they attend the same denomination of church??

 

[Texas Mist]

Texas Mist - thank you for the link, it states this:
"Beginning with the rape of a 65-year-old woman in Yoakum last January,"

"A 66-year-old woman was attacked twice, despite having moved across town following the first assault."

"Two women were attacked — one of them twice — in Yoakum, a quiet town surrounded by wide-open ranches about 100 miles east of San Antonio."
**********************************************************
First woman 65 y.o. on January 23, 2009.
Second woman 66 y.o. on November 9, 2009.

Those are the only mention of Yoakum I see. Who is to say it is two different women? Maybe this is the same woman, had a birthday between Jan. and Nov.? Wouldn't there be another date listed if one was raped twice, giving three dates total in Yoakum?? Am I wrong to think this might be the only victim in Yoakum, despite what the media has written?

From what I've found, there are *3* vics in Yoakum! Makes me wonder how many vics there really are -- especially considering some may be too scared to report their attacks.

POSTED: Monday, December 14, 2009
UPDATED: 9:55 pm CST December 14, 2009
YOAKUM, Texas -- Since early January, three elderly women have been sexually attacked in the community of Yoakum, according to Police Chief Arthur Rodgers.


http://www.ksat.com/news/21968502/detail.html

the lady w/ the burglar bars removed had this azzhole come after her twice!!


Investigators said the man has taken several clocks as trophies.

In Marquez, hours before the Japanese clock was stolen, investigators believe the suspect was at another Marquez woman's home. The woman, who spoke to News 3 on the condition of anonymity, said the man had a clock with him then.

"It probably woke me up with tick tock real loud," said the woman.

In September, she spoke to News 3 after burglar bars had been removed from her window. That's when she said a clock was laid against her outside bedroom wall.

"It was three something in the morning and it was really loud and I thought, 'what is that? That sounds like a time bomb'," said the woman.

Since then, a dog has become a new addition to her home, as has a stun gun.

"It's 12,800,000 volts," said the woman.

Every bit of which she said she's ready to use if she has to.

The woman said the man was back at 4:30 in the morning on December 28th trying but failing to get in her home. The Sheriff's Department is investigating that. FBI agents were also at her house a few weeks ago, in what has become a nation-wide effort to catch the serial rapist.


more here and this article mentions Marquez TX (in Leon County) -- http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/80637097.html

Yoakum is situated on the Lavaca-DeWitt county line, and is around 150 miles from Marquez.

 

[TGIRecovered]

hmmmmmm

http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/apr/21/lw_calvinmiller_042209_47291/

Charges pending in Yoakum sex assault, robbery

Originally published April 21, 2009 at 11:11 p.m., updated April 21, 2009 at 11:11 p.m.
********************************************************
Seems they arrested this guy, but he isn't the one. Article said both women were on their way to church....

**************************************************************
This is a good one too... http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/dec/17/s_yoakum_rapes_121809_78228/?counties&local-news

Serial rapist linked to Yoakum elderly assaults

A 66-year-old Yoakum woman was assaulted in January then again in November after moving.

A 79-year old woman was sexually assaulted in February.
*****************************************************************

Church seems to be a link. This article says both women were going to church (at 4:00 am?) and another article says one woman played the piano at her church....wonder if they attend the same denomination of church??

I am a lifelong Texan. I don't live in a small town, but most of my older relatives do. Around here, going to church is almost a requirement in any small town, unless you want to be a total recluse. It is a social thing. Everyone knows if you missed church. Someone will probably come by to check on you if you aren't there, especially if you are elderly and female, and definitely if you live alone as well!

Now, if this man lives in or near a small town; which I suspect he may, he probably goes to church too, IMO. It is the perfect place to scope out elderly women. In small towns, elderly women may make up a large part of the church!

Susan

 

[IWannaKnow]

I am a lifelong Texan. I don't live in a small town, but most of my older relatives do. Around here, going to church is almost a requirement in any small town, unless you want to be a total recluse. It is a social thing. Everyone knows if you missed church. Someone will probably come by to check on you if you aren't there, especially if you are elderly and female, and definitely if you live alone as well!

Now, if this man lives in or near a small town; which I suspect he may, he probably goes to church too, IMO. It is the perfect place to scope out elderly women. In small towns, elderly women may make up a large part of the church!

Susan

I grew up in a smaaallllll town in Texas (1600 people) so I know all about the tongue wagging on Monday if you weren't in your assigned pew on Sunday morning. It is a great place to scope out older ladies. But he would have to hit several churches in several towns, which make me wonder if he could be selling something related to church...missionary work, hymnals, I dunno....

In fact, this guy has some unusual interests for a criminal....elderly women, possibly church and old clocks. I'm having trouble seeing a young hispanic (??) guy seeking these particular items..

 

[TGIRecovered]

I looked up some of the dates. All were Friday or Saturdays except for two. One was a Monday, (not a holiday, as far as I can tell, unless it's an inclement weather day at school), the other a Thursday, Dec. 17. Most schools get out for Christmas vacation on the 18th. In high schools, if you don't have an exam that day, you get to skip.

I read somewhere that he is described as young and thin. I wonder how reliable "young" can be, when the victims are all over sixty? Could he be a college student, or teacher? Maybe a school custodian?

 

[Texas Mist]

Interesting article:

<snip>

“As time has gone on and law enforcement has been able to document a pattern, more and more resources are being devoted to this case,” he said.

In each incident, the attacker has stolen items from his victims but avoided leaving fingerprints. Even more troubling, authorities said, is that with each assault, a new description of the attacker emerges.

“The victims don't make very good witnesses,” said Bell County Sheriff Dan Smith, whose county had an assault in Zabcikville in August and another in Seaton in September.

He attributed this to the victims' poor eyesight and the time of day of the assaults. One victim suffered a stroke after the assault and now has dementia.

“I can tell you with assurance that a normal person wouldn't commit rape period,” he continued, “but it takes a very unique person to commit rape against vulnerable, elderly women.”

Elderly victims are highly unusual targets for serial rapists, according to Dr. Patricia Harris, a professor of criminology at UTSA. Most victims of rape are in their teens or early 20s.

The Twilight Rapist's motives, she said, are not entirely clear. He may have a particular desire for sexual contact with elderly women, the result of a delusional romantic fantasy or a longstanding grudge against women of a particular age group.

Alternately, she added, he may see them as vulnerable targets, a view reinforced by each successful assault.

What's clear, Harris said, is that the attacker is not impulsive. Serial rapists tend to be better at planning their crimes and often have a broader criminal history than single offenders, she said.

Studies show serial rapists typically will travel within a few miles of their homes, Harris said. In the long distance traveled by the Twilight Rapist, she sees evidence of a terrific amount of planning.

“The harder it is to get to the victim, the harder it is to commit the crime,” she added. “We've all got to go home and sleep at some point.”

Harris suggested the perpetrator may be involved in a service industry for which he travels across counties on a regular basis.


http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/Rapes_mean_that_when_sun_goes_down_fear_goes_up.html

 

[TGIRecovered]

Could be a salesman, but then wouldn't everyone in town mention him having been around, being that he was an "outsider"? He'd stick out like a sore thumb in the churches he doesen't regularly attend, but you are right; he might even be someone who does some kind of testimonial ministry...speaking to youth, or earning $ to do missionary work.

Dark skin, as was mentioned by some victims, could be anything, even a deep tan from being outdoors a lot.

I want to catch this guy before he escalates. If he is young, he's only just begun! Little old ladies in rural areas have enough to fear without this creep runningh around. I'm positive there are victims who have not reported him...poor things!

It is frustrating that someone knows him and is aware that he's a bit strange. How many young men collect clocks and hang out with old ladies? Maybe he works in a nursing home. Hmmm... they have mailing lists. People who arrange funeral plans or retirement home plans would also have access to older ladies addresses...maybe even their financial info. Those type of salespersons do telephone cold-calling too, I think!

Susan

 

[IWannaKnow]

Texas Mist-
:cry: "He attributed this to the victims' poor eyesight and the time of day of the assaults. One victim suffered a stroke after the assault and now has dementia." :cry:

I can't decide to cry or scream or beat my monitor....