A December date in San Antonio ended in a 911 call and a felony charge, according to police. Officers say 40-year-old Jason J. Galloway has been arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault after a woman he met for a date on Dec. 21 reported that she was sexually and physically assaulted inside his vehicle and strangled until she lost consciousness before managing to break free and call for help.
Arrest and investigation
Authorities say the San Antonio Police Department's Street Crimes Unit picked Galloway up at his home on Tuesday, taking him into custody without incident. According to WOAI, Public Information Officer Emily Garvin publicly thanked both the Special Victims Unit and street crimes detectives for their work on the case. Detectives are now reviewing other similar incidents as part of an ongoing investigation, the department said.
How the attack unfolded, police say
Investigators say Galloway met the woman for a date, then the two went to his vehicle, where he is accused of sexually and physically assaulting her. San Antonio police allege he strangled her until she lost consciousness. The woman reportedly tried multiple times to get away before she was finally able to escape and contact police, according to KSAT. The outlet also reported that Galloway denied the accusations after he was arrested.
Suspect's past and ongoing probe
Officials say Galloway has a prior criminal history that includes assault and other misdemeanor charges, and detectives are working to determine whether he can be tied to additional cases. As WOAI notes, investigators have urged anyone with information to contact the Special Victims Unit at 210-207-2313. The department has stressed that even older reports can help detectives piece together a broader investigation.
Legal process and penalties
Galloway was booked on a charge of aggravated sexual assault, a first-degree felony under Texas law that can carry a sentence ranging from five years to life in prison, according to Justia. The offense can also bring fines and typically requires sex-offender registration if there is a conviction. After his arrest, Galloway told reporters outside SAPD headquarters, "I'm innocent," KSAT reported.
Police urge other potential victims to come forward
The San Antonio Police Department is asking anyone who believes they may have been assaulted by Galloway to call the Special Victims Unit at (210) 207-2313 or dial 911 in an emergency. Police spokeswoman Emily Garvin has said that reporting incidents can help detectives spot patterns and may encourage other survivors to step forward. Victim advocates recommend that survivors seek medical care and preserve any possible evidence as soon as they safely can.
Local context
SAPD's Special Victims Unit has handled multiple high-profile cases in recent months, including a pediatrician charged in November, as reported in San Antonio pediatrician charged. The unit says tips from the public and digital evidence are often crucial tools in building sexual assault cases.
