Jury convicts former deputy of sexual assault

A Madison County jury found former sheriff's deputy Ivan Linebaugh guilty of aggravated sexual assault Tuesday, Dec. 16, ending a case that sat dormant for 17 years before DNA evidence brought new life to the investigation.

Nine men, three women and one female alternate juror deliberated for just under two hours before returning the verdict. Linebaugh faces up to life in prison.

The court moved into the punishment phase after the verdict. District Attorney Courtney Cain told jurors this phase would show them the full picture of who Linebaugh is.

Defense attorneys William Carter and Franklin Blazek deferred their opening statement.

The victim took the stand and described how she has lived in fear for 25 years since the assault. Her daughter also testified, telling jurors her mother was a strong, independent woman before this happened. Now she is fearful and not the same person who raised her.

Prosecutors called additional witnesses who testified that Linebaugh had hurt others in the past, including physical abuse. The Meteor is limiting details to protect the identities of those who testified.

Judge Tracy Sorensen said she expects to wrap up the punishment phase Wednesday, Dec. 17, and return a sentence for Linebaugh.

Linebaugh sexually assaulted a woman he pulled over while on duty for the Madison County Sheriff's Office on April 25, 2000. The case went cold until Texas Rangers reopened the investigation in 2017 after DNA testing provided new evidence.

Rangers arrested Linebaugh in 2020. He worked for the sheriff's department until 2011.

During the trial, a Texas Department of Public Safety DNA analyst testified that DNA from Linebaugh's saliva matched semen samples found on the victim's jeans.