Waco, TX — A Waco man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a woman who had allowed him to stay in her home while he was attempting to evade police.
Clifton Jamone Wormley, 46, pleaded guilty to an enhanced charge of sexual assault in exchange for a five-year sentence. The plea agreement, which was recommended by prosecutor Vanessa Fuentes, also led to the dismissal of an unrelated unlawful use of a motor vehicle charge. Wormley, who had already spent over 500 days in the McLennan County Jail, will be credited for that time served. He will be eligible for parole after serving at least 2½ years in prison.
The incident occurred in June 2022 when Wormley, who was known to the victim, sought refuge in her apartment after claiming that police were looking for him. The woman, who had previously helped Wormley with food and other necessities, agreed to let him stay the night. According to court documents, the victim went to bed fully clothed but later woke up to find Wormley performing a sex act on her without her consent. She immediately kicked him out of the apartment and reported the assault to police.
Wormley, however, denied the allegations, telling investigators that the encounter was consensual. He claimed the victim was intoxicated and had simply forgotten what had occurred. The victim, in contrast, told police that she had not been drinking that night.
Wormley’s defense attorney, Darren Obenoskey, acknowledged that there were discrepancies between the victim’s and Wormley’s accounts of the events, but said his client opted to plead guilty to limit his potential sentence. “There was a dispute about what exactly took place and whether or not it was consensual,” Obenoskey said. “Mr. Wormley chose to follow his family’s advice and resolve the matter through a plea.”
Had Wormley been convicted at trial, he faced a possible sentence ranging from 5 to 99 years, or even life, in prison.
Prosecutor Vanessa Fuentes condemned Wormley’s actions, emphasizing that the victim had only tried to help him. “He took advantage of her kindness and trust in the worst possible way,” Fuentes said.
Wormley’s criminal history, which includes numerous previous offenses, contributed to the enhanced charges in this case. His conviction and sentencing bring some degree of closure to the victim, who had trusted him and now has to cope with the traumatic experience.
