Getzendaner Park rapist gets maximum sentence

WAXAHACHIE – Rolando Becks, 33, of Waxahachie was convicted of sexual assault last week and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

After four days of testimony, the Ellis County jury returned the guilty verdict for sexual assault, which occurred in May 2020 at Getzendaner Park in Waxahachie.

A statement from Ellis County District Attorney’s Office read, “Beck’s victim, ‘Maria’ went to Getzendaner Park to walk the hiking trail. 

“She passed Becks as she entered the trail. 

“He was a stranger to her. As Maria walked back to her vehicle, she noticed Becks to her right. 

“Becks suddenly tackled her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.”

Maria suffered 109 scratches and bruises on her body during the assault and, Becks fled the scene. 

A construction worker on I-35 told officers he saw a man fitting Becks description run out of the trail heading towards a hotel. 

At the time Becks was living at one of the motels, and since he matched the description both Maria and the construction worker gave officers, he became a person of interest in her sexual assault.

Becks was arrested in July 2020 for unlawful possession of a firearm by felon. 

At that time, he also told Waxahachie Police he had been at the park on the date the sexual assault occurred to sell drugs.

Regarding his July arrest, a previous jury on Feb. 3, 2023, convicted Becks of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and sentenced him to six years in prison.

“Stranger rape is a rare but dangerous crime. 

“Ellis County citizens should not have to fear for their safety when enjoying our community parks,” said Ellis County District Attorney Ann Montgomery.

“My hope is that one day Maria will find the strength to walk the trail again.”