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FY2024 Solicitation Webinar - National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)
— Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Jul 8, 2024
The recently released FY2024 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) site solicitation was featured as part of a webinar on Monday, July 8th. This webinar, presented by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), includes an overview of various elements of the solicitation, to include changes from previous iterations of the program, eligibility requirements, and guidance on application submission.
Trial Halted as Serial Rapist in Cold Case Pleads No Contest to Assault Charges Involving Six Women
— newsdesk, ABQ Raw News, May 10, 2024
"Today, Edward Duran entered a plea of no contest to 15 charges of First Degree Sexual Penetration, each involving incidents of Great Bodily Harm and Mental Anguish, affecting six individuals. Some of these offenses date back over three decades. Utilizing forensic genealogy testing, investigators and the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Cold Case Rape Unit, also known as SAKI, linked Duran’s DNA to the crimes.
Senior Trial Attorney Jack Jacks emphasized the significance of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Unit. Jacks stated “the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Unit is so important to this community. We’re now able to use genetic testing to fight for justice for these victims who will not be forgotten.”"
Man arrested in connection to series of sexual assaults reported in west Birmingham
— Sumner Harrell, ABC3340, May 8, 2024
"An arrest was made in connection to a series of sexual assault incidents reported in west Birmingham.
The Birmingham Police Department said 36-year-old Christian Jerel Thomas was charged with first-degree kidnapping, four counts first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree rape, and six counts of first-degree sodomy."
Woodland Hills Man Convicted of Serial Assaults on Hikers & Sleeping Victims
— Ventura County District Attorney, May 8, 2024
"Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Edgar Rodriguez Ruelas (DOB 03/24/82), of Woodland Hills, was convicted by a jury on May 2, 2024, of five felony counts related to assaults on women in their homes or on hiking trails, in Thousand Oaks, and Oak Park.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Brent Nibecker, who is assigned to handle cold case sexual assaults, prosecuted the case. Funding for Mr. Nibecker’s position is provided through a Sexual Assault Kit Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Justice."
SAKI Unit Secures First-Degree Rape Conviction
— Orleans Parish District Attorney, May 3, 2024
"On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, an Orleans Parish jury came back with a verdict of Guilty as Charged on Dagoberto Arias on First Degree Rape. The victim reported the sexual abuse in 2021 which had been ongoing from 2017 to 2020.
After noticing concerning changes in the victim’s disposition and behavior, her teacher alerted the school social worker. Thankfully, the victim’s disclosure was immediately believed and addressed by her school teacher, and social worker whose testimony at trial set the stage for the state’s case.
“Delayed disclosure of sexual assault, especially in cases involving children, is unfortunately common,” stated ADA Meghan Falcon. “The victim’s words are evidence deserving of vigorous advocacy. This conviction, I hope, affirms the respect owed to her honesty.”
Lubbock Police solves decades old homicide through DNA testing
— KCBD Staff, May 1, 2024
"The Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit, with the help of multiple law enforcement agencies and DNA testing, has solved the 48-year-old murder of Elizabeth Ann Price.
In August 2022, with the funding from the SAKI grant, the DNA was submitted to Bode Technology Group in Lorton, Virginia for genealogical testing. With their advanced technology, Bode was able to isolate the DNA to one family tree. One of the individuals in that family tree was deceased and their DNA was available for comparison. The suspect’s DNA was submitted to the Lubbock DPS Lab and on January 18, 2023 it was determined who was responsible for the vicious and heinous murder of Price."
Allegheny County launches portal for victims of sexual assault to track cases
— Taylor Spirito, WPXI.com, Apr 24, 2024
"Allegheny County announced it has launched a web portal for victims of sexual assault to track their cases.
The portal was launched through a partnership with the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner and the Allegheny County Police Department.
“April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and there couldn’t be a more appropriate time to launch this portal for victims to pursue information about their cases. As my administration focuses on building a county for all, that includes providing services for victims looking for compassion and support. I’m pleased the Office of the Medical Examiner and our County Police Department are providing this new portal to our community,” said County Executive Sara Innamorato."
Former Flint resident pleads guilty to sexually assaulting minor relative
— FOX 2 Staff, Apr 2, 2024
"A 53-year-old man who impregnated a minor relative pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting her in the early 2000s, according the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office.
Tyrone Anthony Jones of Scottsboro, Alabama was a former resident of Flint, where the assaults took place between 2002 and 2003, the prosecutor's office released. On Tuesday, Jones pleaded guilty to 31 counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree."
In Durham, guilty plea comes 34 years after sexual assault
— WRAL Staff, Apr 2, 2024
"A man charged with a 1990 sexual assault recently pleaded guilty this week, Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry said.
A sexual assault test kit, collected immediately after the August 1990 attack, was sent for DNA testing in 2021. A hit identifying Harris, now 57, was returned in April 2023 and he was charged in June 2023."
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