Rape Case Against Billie Sol Estes Dropped in Texas

Rape charges against convicted swindler Billie Sol Estes were dropped today as the case was moving to trial.

Medical evidence led to the decision, Taylor County Dist. Atty. Jorge Solis said.

He said a test conducted after the alleged rape showed the presence of normal sperm in the woman, while an examination of Estes found he had undergone a vasectomy “sometime prior to the sexual assault.”

Estes, on federal parole on a swindling conviction, was accused of raping a 38-year-old woman who police said was brought from Mexico to work as Estes’ housekeeper.

The trial had been scheduled to begin today after a delay when a witness essential to the state’s case had not been located to be subpoenaed. Solis said the witness, former restaurant operator Steve Eleftheriades, had agreed to assist Estes in hiring a maid from Mexico.