Waco, TX — A 63-year-old man has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a fellow patient at a Waco mental health facility in 2022. Richard Pietrzyk, who was a patient at Ocean’s Behavioral Health Center at the time of the incident, was sentenced Thursday by Judge Susan Kelly of the 54th State District Court.
The assault occurred in November 2022 when Pietrzyk entered the room of a female patient, where he sexually assaulted her while she was asleep. The victim later reported the assault to police, prompting an investigation that led to Pietrzyk’s arrest. According to an arrest affidavit, the victim was awakened around 1:30 a.m. by Pietrzyk’s actions. She screamed for help, but Pietrzyk allegedly placed his hand over her mouth to stifle her cries. The affidavit further stated that Pietrzyk had chosen a specific window of time, in between routine room checks, to enter the victim’s room. Security footage from the facility showed Pietrzyk entering the room carrying a bag of Fritos and leaving without his shoes or the chips.
Officers later found both the chips and Pietrzyk’s shoes near the victim’s bed. Hospital staff members told police that Pietrzyk had previously discussed his sexual interest in the victim with another patient earlier that day, suggesting that the assault may have been premeditated. As part of a plea agreement, Pietrzyk pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual assault. In exchange for his guilty plea, he was sentenced to five years in prison, with credit for the 760 days he had already spent in jail since his arrest. Pietrzyk will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence. Pietrzyk’s attorney, Stan Schwieger, declined to comment after the hearing.
The case has raised concerns about the safety of patients in mental health facilities and the need for stronger protections against abuse. Critics have noted that mental health centers, which are meant to provide care and support, should have more rigorous security measures to prevent such incidents. The victim in this case has not been publicly identified, and it is unclear whether she intends to pursue further legal action. As for Pietrzyk, he will continue to serve his sentence, with the possibility of parole after serving half of his time.
