Woman Sues Houston Rodeo, Los Vaqueros Trail Riders For Alleged 2012 Rape

HOUSTON, TX -- A 23-year old woman is suing the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Riders amid allegations that she was raped during a trailride event in 2012.

Brie Ana Williams has filed a $10 million lawsuit, and alleges she was raped while passed out in a pickup truck .

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Williams, who was 19-years old at the time, said she was drinking at an Los Vaqueros-sponsored event, and said that two members of the Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Riders, raped her.

One of the alleged rapists is in prison on an unrelated charge, while the other alleged assailant still participates in the trail ride, and is believed to be the son of the trail boss.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officials said the assault happened several months before the Los Vaqueros Trail Riders arrived in Houston.

The Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride is the longest of the trail rides that come into Houston annually for the rodeo.

This year’s ride originated 350 miles away at the Texas-Mexico border.

Meanwhile, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo issued a statement about the alleged incident:

"The Los Vaqueros Rio Grande Trail Ride is a separate entity from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with its own rules and regulations. Most trail ride organizations have multiple rides throughout the year, which are run independently from the Show. This event occurred in December 2012, two months prior to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Trail Ride encampment held in Memorial Park, making the event unaffiliated with the Show. Due to pending litigation, the Show is unable to comment further."

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