A Guadalupe County sheriff's deputy ended up in the hospital after a woman allegedly tried to strangle him with his own radio cord while he attempted to arrest a man accused of breaking into a tenant's home. The deputy was released with minor injuries, but the suspect he was after, 64-year-old James Waugh, remains at large as of Monday afternoon.
The confrontation unfolded in the 700 block of Ridge Road, where deputies had been called and encountered Waugh leaving the area, according to KENS 5. Waugh allegedly ran into the home after being confronted, and as the deputy tried to arrest him, 55-year-old Toya Robinson allegedly intervened. Officials say Robinson used the deputy's own radio cord in an attempt to strangle him before he managed to get free during the altercation.
During the struggle, Waugh allegedly tried to take the deputy's Taser, officials say, before fleeing the scene entirely. The deputy was taken to a hospital and later released. It remains unclear why Robinson interfered with the arrest, and whether the Ridge Road home belonged to her has not been established, per the station's report.
Landlord Accused of Breaking Into Tenant's Home
Waugh was allegedly named as a landlord who broke into a tenant's home while she was away, according to the same account. That allegation appears to be what originally brought deputies to the property. Guadalupe County has since obtained arrest warrants for Waugh on multiple counts tied to the encounter.
Robinson was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a public servant and interference with public duties. Jail records show she is being held on a $260,000 bond. Under Texas Penal Code Section 22.02(b)(2)(B), an aggravated assault against a public servant discharging official duties is a first-degree felony, punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
That severe classification can apply even without visible wounds. Under Texas Penal Code Section 1.07(a)(8), bodily injury is legally defined as physical pain alone, which is why assault charges against public servants can be prosecuted as felonies even when an officer sustains only minor injuries. The interference with public duties charge Robinson also faces is a Class B misdemeanor, carrying penalties of up to 180 days in county jail and fines up to $2,000, according to Texas Penal Code Section 38.15.
Search Continues for Fugitive James Waugh
Waugh now faces warrants for evading arrest or detention, attempting to take a weapon from an officer, and resisting arrest. Attempting to take a weapon such as a Taser or firearm from a peace officer is a state jail felony under Texas Penal Code Section 38.14, carrying a potential sentence of 180 days to two years in a state jail facility. Evading arrest on foot is typically a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense under Section 38.04, though it can escalate depending on prior convictions, while resisting arrest under Section 38.03 is generally a Class A misdemeanor unless a deadly weapon is involved, per the statutes reviewed by Justia Law.
As deputies searched for Waugh, the Guadalupe County Texas Emergency Management and Fire Marshal issued an Everbridge public safety alert urging residents in the 700 block of Ridge Road Drive to remain vigilant. As of Monday afternoon, Waugh had not been located.
The Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office, based in Seguin, serves a semi-rural and rapidly growing population along the San Antonio–Austin growth corridor. Anyone with information on Waugh's whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff's office at 830-379-1224 or contact Guadalupe County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 877-403-8477, where tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward, according to KENS 5. People with information can also call 911.
