News

Tracking down a serial rapist: how prosecutors solved two cold-case rapes
— Sara Goldenberg , 19 News, May 27, 2021

 It took more than a decade, but a serial rapist has been caught thanks to DNA evidence and the work of the Cuyahoga County SAKI Task Force and will now spend 35 years behind bars.

Man pleads guilty to 2010 rape in Durham, marking 1st conviction from new initiative
— CBS 17 Digital Desk, May 25, 2021

A man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to raping a woman in Durham in 2010. The conviction was the first resulting from the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative involving Durham police and the Durham County District Attorney’s Office, a news release said.

Charges Filed in Kenosha County for Serial Sex Assaults Uncovered by Backlogged Sexual Assault Kits
— Wisconsin Department of Justice, May 20, 2021

Attorney General Josh Kaul and Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley are today announcing charges have been filed in a case involving multiple previously backlogged sexual assaults evidence kits. “This case shows why it’s critical for public safety that every sexual assault kit is sent to the Wisconsin State Crime Labs. Thank you to the multi-disciplinary team at DOJ that has carefully reviewed cold cases to get justice for survivors and to DA Graveley for prosecuting this case,” said Attorney General Kaul.

Jury returns guilty verdict in decades-old Wilmington rape case
— Krys Merryman, StarNews Online, May 20, 2021

DNA from a previously untested SAK leads to guilty verdict in cold case sexual assault from 1996 in Wilmington, NC.

Jury returns guilty verdict in decades-old Wilmington rape case
— Krys Merryman, StarNews Online, May 20, 2021

DNA from a previously untested SAK leads to guilty verdict in cold case sexual assault from 1996 in Wilmington, NC.

Iowa governor signs bills into law to help sexual assault victims
— KWQC Staff, May 19, 2021

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed two bills on Wednesday to assist survivors of sexual assault. “I want sexual assault survivors to know that their case matters, that they matter,” Miller said. “These laws provide critical services to survivors and increase accountability and transparency in the investigations of these crimes.”

45-year-old Akron man found guilty of four cold case rapes thanks to matching DNA
— Camryn Justice, News 5 Cleveland, May 14, 2021

A 45-year-old Akron man was found guilty of four cold case rapes stemming back as far as 2011 thanks to DNA evidence. "Justice has finally come for the survivors of these horrible attacks. I am so proud of these women who came forward and testified against this serial rapist,” said Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh. “I am also proud of the Assistant Prosecutors as well as our Sexual Assault Specialist for their work on this case. Finally, I want to thank the Akron Police Department for their collaboration in helping solve this crime.”

Serial killer gets three life sentences after he pleaded guilty to murder
— Dallas County District Attorney's Office, May 13, 2021

A 43-year-old serial killer who fled to Mexico in 2003 was sentenced Thursday to life in prison after he pleaded guilty to murder charges for the strangulations of three women thanks to the SAKI unit in Dallas County Texas.

Cold Case: Woman’s remains identified in Missoula County after 36 years
— MTN News, May 10, 2021

SAKI funds from the state of Montana used to identify previously unidentified remains found in 1985 as those of Janet Lucas thanks to advanced DNA testing.

Man arrested for unsolved 1995 sexual assault of a minor in Las Vegas
— Ashley Casper, Fox 5, May 10, 2021

DNA evidence leads to arrest in sexual assault from 1995 in Las Vegas.