Habitual Felon Gets 50 Years for Sexual Assault of Unconscious Woman in Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX — A Montgomery County jury has sentenced a 42-year-old habitual felony offender to 50 years in prison after convicting him of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman, a case broken open years later when the victim came forward with surveillance video.

Donald Eugene Goss Jr. was found guilty on Monday, July 13, 2026, following a two-day trial in the 9th District Court before Judge Phil Grant. On July 14, 2026, the jury formally assessed his 50-year sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Delayed Outcry Uncovers Video and Text Evidence

According to prosecutors, the victim courageously came forward to law enforcement approximately two years after the initial assault. Her decision to report the crime was prompted by a growing concern that another individual may have also been harmed by Goss.

Crucially, the victim provided authorities with surveillance video of the incident, which became the cornerstone of the investigation. Detectives with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office subsequently expanded the probe, uncovering additional digital evidence. This included text messages in which Goss explicitly acknowledged his actions and apologized to the victim, directly corroborating her account.

Witness Interference and Habitual Offender Enhancements

During the trial phase, jurors heard testimony from the victim and investigators while reviewing the surveillance footage and text messages. After just 45 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict.

During the penalty phase, prosecutors introduced evidence demonstrating Goss’s active efforts to interfere with witness testimony. Furthermore, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office (MCDAO) Investigator Joe Oliver utilized forensic fingerprint analysis to legally establish Goss’s prior felony convictions.

Because of his criminal history, prosecutors successfully proved Goss was a habitual felony offender, elevating his potential punishment range to 25 years to life in prison. After finding the enhancement allegations to be true, the jury settled on a 50-year term.

Statements from the Prosecution: The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Tamara Tyler and Lindsey Miller. Following the sentencing, District Attorney Mike Holley praised the victim’s bravery and the meticulous investigative work:

“The truth has no expiration date. This case demonstrates that when victims find the courage to come forward and the evidence supports prosecution, accountability remains possible.”