Man Arrested for Assaulting Pregnant Woman During Work Commute

Emilio Villarreal charged with felony assault after alleged attack on 34-week pregnant victim

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:55pm

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A 43-year-old man named Emilio Villarreal was arrested by Laredo police after he allegedly assaulted a pregnant woman while she was driving him to work. The woman, who was 34 weeks pregnant, suffered noticeable injuries to her neck and face during the altercation. Villarreal has been charged with a third-degree felony for assault of a pregnant person.

Why it matters

Assaults on pregnant individuals are considered especially egregious crimes due to the vulnerability of the victim and the potential harm to the unborn child. This incident raises concerns about domestic violence, road rage, and the safety of pregnant women in Laredo, Texas.

The details

According to police, the incident occurred on March 12 around 6:41 a.m. when officers responded to an assault call. The pregnant woman told officers she was arguing with Villarreal while driving him to work, and during the argument, he tried to get out of the moving vehicle and then assaulted her twice before fleeing the scene. Officers observed visible injuries to the woman's neck and face. She was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

  • The incident occurred on March 12, 2026 around 6:41 a.m.
  • Villarreal was later located and arrested near Crossroads Street and Grand Central Boulevard

The players

Emilio Villarreal

A 43-year-old man who was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony for assault of a pregnant person.

The Pregnant Woman

A 34-week pregnant victim who was driving Villarreal to work when the assault occurred. She suffered noticeable injuries to her neck and face.

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What’s next

Villarreal remained held on a $50,000 bond as of Friday afternoon, and the judge will determine if he will be allowed out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for greater awareness and protection for pregnant women, especially in vulnerable situations like commuting to work. It also raises questions about domestic violence prevention and intervention programs in the Laredo community.