A former inmate of the Jack Harwell Detention Center is now suing the private company that runs the jail.
Estela Fajardo who was indicted on theft of jewelry and electronics of at least $2,500 claims when she was at that facility, a female guard touched her inappropriately and made sexual advances.
Fajardo's attorney Gerald Villarrial said the lawsuit the undocumented immigrant filed against LaSalle Corrections and the female guard aims to prove the sexual assault did happen.
"I believe what she is saying. I believe the allegations she made are true and that's why I filed a lawsuit," Villarrial said.
The Waco Immigrants Alliance spoke publicly about the allegations during a press conference in June.
"What Estela went through was bad enough but we want it to stop it from happening to anyone else," Waco Immigrants Alliance Leader Hope Mustakim said.
Back then, McLennan County Sheriff Deputy Chief David Kilcrease questioned whether Fajardo was making the claim to avoid deportation.
"I'm going to find out what they did in their investigation but I'm skeptical when they're making remarks about that she is doing it because it's only for immigration purposes," Villarrial said.
The lawsuit seeks for damages of at least $200,000 for the mental anguish and humiliation the 46-year-old said she suffered after the contact and remarks.
"The lawsuit at this point, it's to make sure to get justice for Estela and unfortunately at this point the only way we can do that is from a monetary process," Villarrial said.
The McLennan County Sheriff's Office conducted two investigations into the sexual assault allegations and concluded the guard conducted a standard pat-down search.
“We don’t tolerate or put up any kind of behavior against inmates that is improper. We investigated this and found that it was totally unfounded. There was no violation of any kind. There was no criminal act done on Ms. Fajardo. There were no policy violations. It was in compliance with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards," McNamara said.
Central Texas News Now reached out to LaSalle Corrections but did not hear back from representatives of the private company.
Jack Harwell Detention Center failed a recent inspection of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards conducted.
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