News

PA Man Jailed In 1993 Newark Sexual Assault Cold Case
— 1st State Update, Oct 18, 2022

"In October of 2019, then 54-year-old Jeffrey King, was charged by the Newark Police Department in the 26-year-old sexual assault case. King was charged after DNA linked the man to the case, Lt Andrew Rubin said at the time. In November 2017, Newark Police reopened that case. Lead investigator, Detective Taras Gerasimov was assigned to the case for follow-up as part of the Sexual Assault Kit InitiativeI grant-funded initiative. The sexual assault kit, which had not been previously tested for DNA purposes, was sent to a private laboratory to identify any DNA samples that may be present. In August 2019, detectives conducted surveillance on the suspect and were able to collect a discarded item with his DNA. The man’s DNA profile was sent to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for DNA comparison. The DNA profile was compared to the sample from the suspect in the 1993 incident and they were found to be consistent, according to Rubin."

Flint gets $2.5M to help solve sexual assault cases
— WNEM, Oct 11, 2022

"A $2.5 million grant could get hundreds of rape kits off the shelves in Flint and to labs for testing. The money is coming through the Justice Department’s National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, and it will be used for forensic genetic testing. The person who oversees this investigative aspect is Flint Police Sgt. Mona Patterson. She tells TV-5 each case is more than a mere number to her. “I’ve been on the department for over 25 years, and I would say since I’ve been in this unit, I’ve probably cried the most,” Patterson said. “Just being able to hear their stories and what’s connected to it, and just to see them get justice.”

Hundreds of backlogged sex assault kits from Kansas City now being tested
— Fox 4 KC, Oct 8, 2022

"Hundreds of untested sexual assault kits from Kansas City are in the process of being tested for DNA. The 226 kits are part of the backlog reported by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department. The Missouri Attorney General’s office shipped the kits to a lab at Marshall University for testing. Another 300 kits were shipped to the same lab for testing in August."

Justice is finally here': Parkton man sentenced in string of cold-case Fayetteville rapes
— The Fayetville Observer, Oct 6, 2022

"Superior Court Judge Pat Nadolski handed down two separate sentences to Johnnie B. Green, 48, which will run simultaneously. Green was sentenced to a maximum term of 28 years, five months in prison for at least 10 rapes and multiple burglaries he committed in Fayetteville, Cumberland County and Hope Mills from June 2009 to November 2010. He was arrested a decade after the rapes in May 2019 through a genetic testing service, part of a Cumberland County initiative to process a backlog of untested sexual assault kits."

Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Receives Federal Grant To Support the Timely Processing of Sexual Assault Evidence Kits
— portal.ct.gov, Oct 3, 2022

"Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory, a division within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice that will be used to support the timely processing of sexual assault evidence kits."

Former Boston Uber driver charged in cold-case sex assault investigation
— Boston.com, Sep 24, 2022

A former Boston Uber driver and Hyde Park resident was arrested Friday on multiple charges of sexual assault. The Boston Police Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Program assisted in Mancortes’ arrest, investigators said. Police said the findings of the kit could result in further charges as detectives continue their investigations.

Progress made on testing of backlogged sexual assault kits, new kits tested within 45 days
— KPVI, Sep 19, 2022

"In May, a new law that requires the Washington State Crime Lab to test new sexual assault kits coming in within a 45-day period took effect. Since then, Washington State Patrol said the lab tested almost all the new kits by that deadline. Thousands of backlog kits have also been tested. "The external pressure is good," Loftis said. "Its forced us to improve our systems, its forced the legislature to provide the funding and resources." Sergeant Jake Lancaster with the Yakima Police Department said getting those kits back sooner could be key in solving some cases."

According to a press release from the Schmitt’s office, more than 650 entities have been awarded the recognition for completing phase II of the SAFE Kit Initiative.
— Monett-Times, Sep 14, 2022

"“The success of the SAFE Kit Initiative depends on active participation from hospitals and law enforcement agencies willing to dedicate the time and effort to help us clear the backlog of untested sexual assault kits and achieve justice for victims,” Schmitt said. “We wanted to highlight the wonderful work these departments and medical facilities have done and thank them for their continued partnership with our Office on this vital initiative.”

Detroit serial rapist sentenced to prison after DNA matches rape kits dating back to 2007
— Fox 2 Detroit, Sep 14, 2022

"A serial rapist who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting five Detroit women and girls was sentenced to 25-50 years in prison Wednesday. In 2019, DNA was submitted to Parabon Nanolabs for DNA and genetic genealogy analysis. Based on the testing, a list of related male suspects was created. One of the suspects was Wells. After a complete DNA analysis, the known DNA buccal swab of Wells was confirmed to match all five of the sexual assault kits for the cases, and he was arrested in July 2021."

BPD charges alleged serial rapist thanks to rape kit initiative
— Boston.com, Sep 13, 2022

"Boston police arrested an alleged serial rapist Monday using evidence collected through the department’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative program. “The opportunities presented by this SAK Initiative will give us the tools that we need to support victims of sexual assault in more comprehensive and trauma informed ways,” Lt. Richard Driscoll, commander of the Sexual Assault Unit, said in a statement about the program earlier this year. “We so appreciate the opportunity that the Bureau of Justice Assistance has given us.”