Harris County, Texas – A 35-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at gunpoint earlier this year has been arrested, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). Deputies say DNA evidence was instrumental in identifying the suspect months after the attack near the Lakeview Apartments.
DNA Links Suspect to May Assault
Investigators identified the suspect as Reginald Dewayne Patt Jr., 35, who now faces multiple felony charges stemming from the May 2024 assault. The attack took place near Ella Boulevard and Romano Park Drive, in north Harris County.
According to charging documents, the 16-year-old victim had just stepped off her school bus and was walking home through a hole in a fence at the Lakeview Apartments when she noticed Patt on a nearby porch, holding what appeared to be a gun.
Officials said Patt pulled the firearm from his waistband, threatened the teen by saying, “Don’t scream or I’ll f***** shoot you,”* and then allegedly sexually assaulted her.
Teen’s Quick Thinking Triggers Emergency Alert
In a moment of courage and composure, the victim managed to wrap her arms around Patt and use her cell phone to trigger the SOS alert on the Life360 app, a family safety tool. The emergency alert immediately notified her mother, prompting her sister to race to the location.
Court records state that when the sister arrived and screamed, Patt fled the scene, disappearing into the surrounding area.
DNA Evidence Cracks Case Five Months Later
Months of investigation followed. Nearly five months later, forensic analysis revealed a DNA match linking Patt to the crime. The breakthrough gave detectives the evidence they needed to formally charge him.
The teen victim later identified Patt in a photo lineup, solidifying the case against him.
Facing Multiple Felony Charges
According to Harris County court records, Reginald Dewayne Patt Jr. faces several felony charges, including:
- Burglary with intent to commit a felony
- Indecency with a child
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
But this wasn’t his only alleged crime. Patt is also accused of breaking into another apartment off Cypress Station Drive in March 2024, where investigators say he sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman at knifepoint.
Previous Assault Detailed in Court Records
In that earlier case, the 18-year-old victim told police she woke up to find Patt kissing her. Holding a knife to her neck, he reportedly said, “Shut the f** up or I’ll kill you.”*
The woman tried to resist, but Patt allegedly slammed her to the floor, hit her in the legs and head, and continued the assault. During the struggle, she managed to rip off his mask and see his face before he fled.
After the attack, she locked herself in a bedroom, called her sister, and then dialed 911, according to investigators.
Authorities Urge Possible Victims to Come Forward
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office believes Patt could be connected to additional assaults in the area. Detectives are urging anyone with information or similar encounters to contact HCSO immediately.
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