Habersham deputies are now searching for a second suspect in connection with a brutal attack on a woman at a home near Clarkesville earlier this week. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Jesus Antonio Melchor-Rodriguez, 24, of Jonesboro. He’s charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the March 15 assault.
26-year-old Salvador Villagomez of Fort Worth, Texas, is also charged with one count of conspiracy to commit murder. He was previously charged with aggravated assault and battery.
According to the preliminary investigation, an eyewitness told deputies Villagomez repeatedly struck the woman in the head with an aluminum baseball bat as she was sleeping. The assault happened early Monday inside a residence at 270 Faye Potts Road. Villagomez was arrested after a near five-hour-long manhunt.
Officials say the new charges were brought as a result of ongoing interviews and evidence gathering. A judge revoked his previously set bond. Villagomez remains in the Habersham County jail.
Early morning attack and manhunt
According to Habersham Sheriff’s Lt. Matthew Wurtz, Villagomez was staying at the residence at the time of the incident. The eyewitness told investigators Villagomez and the victim were “acquaintances.” Based on information released so far by the sheriff’s office, it’s unclear how Melchor-Rodriguez is related to the case. It’s also unclear whether he was inside the home at the time of the attack. He and Villagomez did know each other, Wurtz says.
After allegedly assaulting the woman, Villagomez reportedly walked away from the house.
Deputies responded to the scene shortly before 2 a.m. on March 15 and found the victim lying face down on an air mattress, bleeding. Habersham County Emergency Services transported her to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville in critical condition. As of Friday morning, officials say she remained hospitalized in a medically induced coma.
Habersham deputies, a K-9 unit, and Georgia State Patrol Aviation searched the area in the pre-dawn hours. They found the suspect around 6:30 a.m. back at the scene of the crime.
A news release issued by the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office at the time of his capture stated Villagomez was injured and taken to Habersham Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The sheriff’s office has not released any further details on how those injuries occurred.
Officials say the case remains under investigation and more charges may be filed.
