Man arrested for sexual assault, police seek additional victims

On Thursday, Feb. 28, at 12:20 p.m. John Tate McFarland was detained in the 100 block of N. LBJ Drive and arrested on a charge of sexual assault, a second-degree felony.

McFarland’s bond was set at $50,000 by a judge. He was released on bond on March 1.

McFarland’s arrest was the result of an incident reported on Feb. 21.  At approximately 6:05 a.m. on the morning of the Feb. 21, San Marcos Police received information from a woman that her daughter contacted her from a number she didn’t recognize asking for help. Police were unable to locate the woman’s daughter for the next hour until she sent a message from her Facebook account to a friend asking for help. She was eventually located at her residence.

The victim told police she had only had a few drinks, but the next thing she knew, she was at a stranger's house and he was having sex with her. She told police officers McFarland would not let her leave when she first asked, but eventually he drove her to her home when he realized she had made a call, when he was in the bathroom. The victim said he took her home without her giving him her address. 

The victim was transported to Central Texas Medical Center for a sexual assault forensic exam. Detectives began an investigation and obtained a warrant authorizing the arrest of McFarland.

Police believe there could be other victims of McFarland from both the San Marcos and Austin areas. The San Marcos Police Department is committed to seeking justice for all survivors of sexual assault, and encourage any individuals who believe they have been assaulted to report the crimes committed against them.

In San Marcos and Hays County, there are several resources available to assist survivors of sexual assault including the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center and the Student Health Center at Texas State University-San Marcos.

Anyone with information about this case or wanting to report a crime should contact Detective Sandra Spriegel, 512-753-2369 or sspriegel@sanmarcostx.gov.