Within two days, at least two women say they were assaulted by different men on bicycles. One victim says the suspect kissed her feet.
HOUSTON — Law enforcement officials across the Houston area are investigating several separate sexual assault cases involving different suspects, with authorities believing more victims have yet to come forward to report similar crimes.
The cases span multiple locations and methods, from outdoor trail attacks to assaults that began through online interactions. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez emphasized the scope of the problem, stating, “We believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Cypress area suspect accused of app-based assaults
Carl Redfield Junior, a Cypress area man, faces three charges after allegedly meeting women through dating apps and bars, then sexually assaulting them and recording the attacks. Deputies believe additional victims exist who have not yet reported incidents involving Redfield.
Teen arrested in Jesse Jones Park trail attacks
A 16-year-old suspect has been apprehended in connection with an attempted sexual assault at Jesse Jones Park on July 17, 2025, according to Constable Mark Herman of Precinct 4. The suspect was booked into the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center on July 25 after being charged by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
The arrest came after a victim reported being attacked while walking in the park area. During the investigation, Herman’s office described a violent encounter: “She was attacked from behind. The assailant put his hand over her nose and mouth in an attempt to suffocate her. He did eventually get her to fall to the ground at which time he began to disrobe her.”
The teen is also suspected in another attack on a female jogger in February of this year, Herman said.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims or witnesses who have not yet come forward and are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Special Victims Unit at 832-927-6188.
Trail attacks target women walking dogs
Houston Police are investigating multiple disturbing cases of women being assaulted along busy hike and bike trails, with both incidents occurring in broad daylight while the victims were walking their dogs.
On the Brays Bayou Trail near Glen Arbor Drive and North Braeswood, a woman was approached by a man in a blue biking outfit riding a blue bicycle around 5:50 p.m. on Sunday. After asking to pet her dog and claiming he was new to the area from Sri Lanka, the suspect’s behavior quickly escalated.
“In mid conversation, he just dropped down, flat on his belly and started licking and kissing my feet,” the victim told KHOU 11. When she told him to stop, he claimed it was “a sign of respect in his culture.”
“When he tried to pass off his assault as a cultural practice…that’s really been bothering me about this,” she said. The woman was able to leave the situation and called police, though the suspect followed her initially.
A separate incident occurred Monday morning around 7:45 a.m. on the Heights Hike and Bike Trail, where Catherine Manterola was walking home with her dog when a man on a mountain bicycle groped her from behind.
“It was such an invasion of space, like not only did he reach down and touch me but he got into my personal bubble, stopped and did it. He also did it in a very slow, confident way,” Manterola said. Police describe the suspect as a white man in his 30s or 40s, heavy-set, wearing basketball shorts and a red helmet while riding a mountain bicycle.
Expert warns of broader problem
Trauma therapist Chau Nguyen contextualized these incidents within larger statistics about sexual violence.
“One in five women have experienced some type of sexual assault or rape in her lifetime, so it really comes as no surprise that we’re hearing this in the news,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen expressed frustration that women must constantly remain vigilant about their safety.
“We wish we could just tell people to stop violating women, but sadly we have to turn to ourselves, be on alert, tell a friend where you’re going to be, be on the lookout. These are common sense things but sadly we have to keep reminding people to do these things to stay safe,” she said.
The therapist noted it’s unfortunate that women face the burden of potential attacks simply for wanting to exercise outdoors or go for walks in parks.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate these separate cases and encourage any additional victims to come forward and report incidents to authorities.