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

[Starry Night]

I couldn't help it-I looked up Luby's locations in Texas-but I don't know what counties they are all in.......there are a lot.

 

[Starry Night]

Now I am looking at the yellow pages on the web for restaurants in Yoakum. They are listing 30'family-style restaurants etc....I need to do this on my work computer tomorrow (on my lunch hour of course lol) because my 'puter is so slow etc. Since the attacks started in Yoakum....start there right?

 

[Starry Night]

Let's go ladies! Google 'Youakum Restaurants hwy 7'.........
sorry if I am stuck on this restaurant business but I am looking back to how and where he found his first victim.

 

[Texas Mist]

Oh my!!

DBF & I were visiting his dad & dad's girlfriend tonite here in Austin....I'll call dad's g/f "Sally".

Sally lives not far from Luling, and mostly she stays w/ DBF's dad, but occasionally she spends a few days at home -- which is very rural, out in the sticks.

I asked her tonite if she's been keeping up with the serial rapist & she said "h3ll yeah -- he attacked one of my friends in Luling!!"

She said her friend is the nervous type that talks a lot & she just kept telling the SR over & over again "take whatever you want, take whatever you want...I don't have any money...I only have $5"...and the SR put his hand over her mouth & told her if she'd be quiet he wouldn't hurt her.

He took her $5 and left....she said her friend was "poor" & lived in "government housing".

Soooo - this freaky pervy creep doesn't necessarily know who's got $$ or not, it sounds like....that -- or there's a copycat on the loose.

Sally said she definitely is taking precautions when she's at home by herself...and yes, the subject of arming herself came up....I'll leave it at that.

 

[Missizzy]

Starry Night--For some reason, I think he chose his victim more carefully than by whomever was driving a nice Town Car at the Luby's. I can't explain why but it's just my gut feeling. I believe this guy is extremely organized and chose these women with a particular profile.

Being that they all lived in "nice brick homes", this tells me that he found them, somehow, in their neighborhoods. If you just sit at Luby's and pick out ladies who are over 65 to follow, many would lead you to an apartment, a retirement center, a condo, an adult child's home. I think he had some professional/social/community connection with each of these women. He was a service person, worked for a funeral home, repaired clocks, is a groundskeeper of a church; something that led him to know what they looked like and where they lived. He, somehow, kept his identity secret as not one has reportedly said that he "looked like the nice cable man who came by last week".

Once he "chose" them, then I think he went about plotting the break-ins and the rapes. I think this guy is getting a lot of thrill out of the plotting and the planning--much like a hunter does when he bags a 12 point buck. It's not just the single gunshot and the venison steak. It's the purchasing of the ammunition, assembling the gear, setting up the blind, scheduling the trip, figuring out what food to bring and so on and so on. It's the whole deal.

If I'm not mistaken this is one of the longest stretches he's gone between attacks. Although, from everything I've read, elders are not known as good reporters. There's shame, embarrassment, concern about loss of freedom--so many horrible things to worry about.

jjenny--Can I ask where you got your info that "rape of the elderly is very uncommon"? Can you provide some links? I keep reading that it is known to be under-reported but far more common than most assume. I'd like to see what you've found. Here's a link to a fairly recent report, "Elderly Victims of Sexual Abuse and Their Offenders":

http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/216550.pdf

 

[jjenny]

Rape statistics: 80 % of women who are raped are under the age of 30. Younger women are much more likely to be attacked than older women. Highest risk years 12-34.

"15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under age 12.3

* 29% are age 12-17.
* 44% are under age 18.3
* 80% are under age 30.3
* 12-34 are the highest risk years.
* Girls ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault."
http://www.rainn.org/get-information/statistics/sexual-assault-victims

 

[Missizzy]

Texas Mist--That's horrifying!! Do you believe Sally's friend is relating this exactly the way it happened? Was it reported? Do you know if LE thinks it is related to the other attacks?

I know Luling is Ground Central and she must fit the profile somewhat or you wouldn't bring it up. But government housing--that's not his typical choice. And to only take $5 and not to assault her. I'm not doubting this happened at all. I'm just wondering if this is the serial rapist.

I think that there's lots of thugs out there who would steal money from a vulnerable older lady and say "if you'll just give me the money, I won't hurt you". But does the rest of the story "fit"? Trophies taken, phone line cut, window pane removed, similar physical description?

Luling is not a big place and it's really scary that some guy would victimize an older lady but that must (sorry to say) happen quite often these days with guys seeking crack and meth money. Whatever happened, I hope this woman is working with LE and getting some support with the trauma of it all.

I keep wondering about the poor woman in Lubbock. That creep, Josh Stephenson, was charged with rape. I don't know if he was copy-catting or what but he RAPED that woman. These guys need to be taken off the street!!

I'm so sorry you had to hear this story. That must have hit far too close to home.

 

[Missizzy]

jjenny--Thank you for the link. However, you'll note that 20% of all rape victims are over the age of 30. I don't see a breakdown as to ages over 30. I do agree that elder rape is most likely not as common as rape in the under 30 group but I believe it is grossly under-reported--similar to what we've learned about rape of men.

Whatever the math comes out to be, elder rape and sexual abuse seems to be a very real threat that our society is not addressing adequately. I really don't think that many women over 65 are receiving timely education geared to their changing lifestyles concerning personal safety.

 

[jjenny]

jjenny--Thank you for the link. However, you'll note that 20% of all rape victims are over the age of 30. I don't see a breakdown as to ages over 30. I do agree that elder rape is most likely not as common as rape in the under 30 group but I believe it is grossly under-reported--similar to what we've learned about rape of men.

Whatever the math comes out to be, elder rape and sexual abuse seems to be a very real threat that our society is not addressing adequately. I really don't think that many women over 65 are receiving timely education geared to their changing lifestyles concerning personal safety.

Whether is under-reported or not, it seems clear most rapists don't target elderly women.
I imagine if they did break it by age, rape victims over the age 60 would be a very small percentage. Of course that doesn't mean elderly are safe from being raped or assaulted, as this case we are discussing clearly demonstrates. Also it might take a lot less to kill an elderly woman. Something like this could clearly cause a heart attack, even if the rapist doesn't kill the victim on purpose.

 

[Starry Night]

Ok ya'll...I went offline for a while-this case is getting to me-while I was posting.....and I am not 'hearing things'....there was a violent noise at my door and I froze-my heart was pounding out of my chest-when I got up from my chair and mind you my heart was racing-call the cops? call the daughter? I chose call the daughter-I have dial-up....so my landline was tied up-grabbed the cell-frantically called the elder daughter (age 22) 3 times-no answer-desparately texted a 'canned' text msg to call me-urgent-she did=in the meantime I had walkd to the door with the keys-stuck them in to find that BOTH locks were unlocked! I was both chagrined and horrified and confused-DD calld me-I apprised her of situation and then told her I had to walk outside to check it out-gave her my physical address just in case she doesn't have it memorized-she held and I opened the door-nothing and no-one. We talked a bit til I stopped hyper-ventilating. I went back online and then texted her that it was probably my Guardian Angel telling me to lock the door....anyway-sorry for the drama but this was too weird. I DID NOT imagine the noise-and it wasn't a soda pop bottle exploding or whatever. The room I live in is about 200 square feet if that. On a dark acre in a dark hood. But with one motion light by my front door. No peephole. I am moving out of this hellish place. I have for weapons a pair of scissors, a lighter, a 2 by 4 which is long and prolly hard to swing but swingable and I am going to fire up the iron. Of course I don't think it is Twilight Perp but....now I know just a fraction of the fear these women went through. Honestly I felt like I was going to die of a heart attack my heart was beating so fast. And the shaking...from head to toe. When u are so paralyzed with fear-I hope the victims fainted or whatever. I simply canmnot imagine how they got through it. I feel so sorry for us women tonight. But what I need right now is anger-cause anger breeds strength. Thanks for listeneing to all that....
Miss-as usual I defer to your deductions-yes he is one calculating deliberate perp-and preying on the weakest. I am sure it takes a lot of interviewing and footwork on the part of LE to connect the dots...This is a horrifying situation.He is a home-grown terrorist! (every time I hear a creak now I get scared-pray for me-reaching for the Rosary and I already e-mailed my Nuns)....Please don't think I am crazy.....I am not. Unfortunately, as our senior population in this country increases-we will have more of these crimes. Predators on our physical weakness, our bank accounts, our belongings etc.
I need to change my screen name to Scaredy-Cat lol

 

[Texas Mist]

Texas Mist--That's horrifying!! Do you believe Sally's friend is relating this exactly the way it happened? Was it reported? Do you know if LE thinks it is related to the other attacks?

I know Luling is Ground Central and she must fit the profile somewhat or you wouldn't bring it up. But government housing--that's not his typical choice. And to only take $5 and not to assault her. I'm not doubting this happened at all. I'm just wondering if this is the serial rapist.

I think that there's lots of thugs out there who would steal money from a vulnerable older lady and say "if you'll just give me the money, I won't hurt you". But does the rest of the story "fit"? Trophies taken, phone line cut, window pane removed, similar physical description?

Luling is not a big place and it's really scary that some guy would victimize an older lady but that must (sorry to say) happen quite often these days with guys seeking crack and meth money. Whatever happened, I hope this woman is working with LE and getting some support with the trauma of it all.

I keep wondering about the poor woman in Lubbock. That creep, Josh Stephenson, was charged with rape. I don't know if he was copy-catting or what but he RAPED that woman. These guys need to be taken off the street!!

I'm so sorry you had to hear this story. That must have hit far too close to home.

I didn't want to probe too much into Sally's friend, but it was just the way she responded when I asked her that I believed that Sally believed her friend when she said it was the SR that was in her home....when she mentioned government housing I asked her about that....we have an older gentleman friend who lives in a nice area near DBF's dad's house - and it's a "senior citizens" apartment complex for low income seniors so I was thinking maybe her friend lived somewhere like that....she did say that her friend doesn't live in a "retirement village" and doesn't have a job.

I looked at the pic of the retirement village in Luling & it doesn't look like a brick house to me....the grounds are well-kept but I don't see brick house....so sounds like 100% of the attacks are not in brick houses, but most are. (?)

IDK *for sure* if Sally's friend is a victim, but Sally believes she is, FWIW....I didn't get to ask too many questions because I'd already mentioned the SR subject to DBF several times & my concern for Sally when she goes back to her rural home alone....So he starts putting in his :twocents: & he & his dad then started talking about Sally protecting herself & I didn't get to say much more and also didn't want to "grill" Sally for details, IYKWIM.

I'll ask more questions next time I talk to her when the guys aren't in the middle of it all. LOL

ETA: Sally said her friend didn't use the deadbolt lock the nite that the creep got in her house.

ETA2: yes, I think Sally repeated to me the way her friend said it to her....it was in her body language (moving her hands) & the way she talked about her friend being the nervous type & that "she repeats everything a lot"....Sally absolutely believed her friend had an intruder in the house & that it was related to the CenTex SR.

 

[Starry Night]

My 84 year old landlady moved into a retirement community run by NATIONAL CHURCH RESIDENCES. They are income based. She moved about a mile away from me. I am going to look them up and see where they have these communities. Cause my landlady has her own apartment in this community and it is very nice-here in Austin. National Church Residences is all over the US I believe.

 

[Texas Mist]

Ok ya'll...I went offline for a while-this case is getting to me-while I was posting.....and I am not 'hearing things'....there was a violent noise at my door and I froze-my heart was pounding out of my chest-when I got up from my chair and mind you my heart was racing-call the cops? call the daughter? I chose call the daughter-I have dial-up....so my landline was tied up-grabbed the cell-frantically called the elder daughter (age 22) 3 times-no answer-desparately texted a 'canned' text msg to call me-urgent-she did=in the meantime I had walkd to the door with the keys-stuck them in to find that BOTH locks were unlocked! I was both chagrined and horrified and confused-DD calld me-I apprised her of situation and then told her I had to walk outside to check it out-gave her my physical address just in case she doesn't have it memorized-she held and I opened the door-nothing and no-one. We talked a bit til I stopped hyper-ventilating. I went back online and then texted her that it was probably my Guardian Angel telling me to lock the door....anyway-sorry for the drama but this was too weird. I DID NOT imagine the noise-and it wasn't a soda pop bottle exploding or whatever. The room I live in is about 200 square feet if that. On a dark acre in a dark hood. But with one motion light by my front door. No peephole. I am moving out of this hellish place. I have for weapons a pair of scissors, a lighter, a 2 by 4 which is long and prolly hard to swing but swingable and I am going to fire up the iron. Of course I don't think it is Twilight Perp but....now I know just a fraction of the fear these women went through. Honestly I felt like I was going to die of a heart attack my heart was beating so fast. And the shaking...from head to toe. When u are so paralyzed with fear-I hope the victims fainted or whatever. I simply canmnot imagine how they got through it. I feel so sorry for us women tonight. But what I need right now is anger-cause anger breeds strength. Thanks for listeneing to all that....
Miss-as usual I defer to your deductions-yes he is one calculating deliberate perp-and preying on the weakest. I am sure it takes a lot of interviewing and footwork on the part of LE to connect the dots...This is a horrifying situation.He is a home-grown terrorist! (every time I hear a creak now I get scared-pray for me-reaching for the Rosary and I already e-mailed my Nuns)....Please don't think I am crazy.....I am not. Unfortunately, as our senior population in this country increases-we will have more of these crimes. Predators on our physical weakness, our bank accounts, our belongings etc.
I need to change my screen name to Scaredy-Cat lol

Starry -- I think you should call LE, even if it's 411 & ask for someone to patrol your 'hood tonite!!

PLEASE!! It can't hurt, right??

 

[Starry Night]

Senior Services Center*
Luling Housing Authority
800 East Milam
Luling, TX 78648
830-875-5701
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Congregate and home delivered meals and senior center activities
Site Manager: Sharon Kimler​

 

[Starry Night]

Texas Mist-I called them last week and now I am afraid they will think I am a 'nut' cause they transferred me to 911 and the 911 operator had not even heard of the Twilight freak. But you know what? You are right-I can simply ask that they 'patrol'.....that is brilliant! Thanks! I will do that.
You know-I have to say-hindsight is 20.20-my poor mother-at aged 65 she asked for a gun for her birthday-we thought she was losing it and sadly enough, looking back-she was just like me-alone, older and scared and feeling like a potential victim. She was a tough cookie all her life-and she read about 5 books a week so she KNEW like we here all do-what is out there-lurking. I feel bad now. We did buy her the gun-it was a 57 Magnum or whatever the gun Dirty Harry carried-a 357 but not that big. We just gave it to her and never talked about it again. I think we also paid for shooting lessons? I can't remember.....And,as I said before-she kept robber money on hand. How sad. GRRRRRR. Now I am getting that anger I need.
Mist-they can think I am a nut all they want ha ha _ I WILL ask them to patrol ny hood. Thanks a million!

 

[Starry Night]

Senior Services Center*

Luling Housing Authority
800 East Milam
Luling, TX 78648
830-875-5701
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Congregate and home delivered meals and senior center activities

Site Manager: Sharon Kimler​

They would have a list of properties and employees right? I mean-they are probably run on Fed funds.

 

[Texas Mist]

Texas Mist-I called them last week and now I am afraid they will think I am a 'nut' cause they transferred me to 911 and the 911 operator had not even heard of the Twilight freak. But you know what? You are right-I can simply ask that they 'patrol'.....that is brilliant! Thanks! I will do that.
You know-I have to say-hindsight is 20.20-my poor mother-at aged 65 she asked for a gun for her birthday-we thought she was losing it and sadly enough, looking back-she was just like me-alone, older and scared and feeling like a potential victim. She was a tough cookie all her life-and she read about 5 books a week so she KNEW like we here all do-what is out there-lurking. I feel bad now. We did buy her the gun-it was a 57 Magnum or whatever the gun Dirty Harry carried-a 357 but not that big. We just gave it to her and never talked about it again. I think we also paid for shooting lessons? I can't remember.....And,as I said before-she kept robber money on hand. How sad. GRRRRRR. Now I am getting that anger I need.
Mist-they can think I am a nut all they want ha ha _ I WILL ask them to patrol ny hood. Thanks a million!

Girrl - it won't hurt for any ne'er-do-wells hanging around to notice LE's presence, right?

I wouldn't worry about what LE thought -- as long as they drive around your block every nite!!

Also, if you ever have to have an LEO show up to talk to you, get his badge# & name...he should have a business card so ask for it....if he treats you w/ respect & courtesy, call APD & ask who his captain is...then send a letter to his capt. praising the LEO's professionalism, courtesy, etc.

It will go a loooonnng way to keeping the officers in your sector eager to patrol your block and respond when you call!!

((((hugs))))

 

[Starry Night]

Okay-I called PD-and they will send officers on patrol-thanks. My head is hurting lol. We gotta catch this guy......

 

[Starry Night]

Texas Mist_ I think I talked to your sister at 911 cause she was so sweet and understanding and reassuring.

 

[Starry Night]

There's something about cops-nice guys with guns and all about protecting a stranger they never met. Imagine that.