News

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.”

DNA leads to arrest 15 years after brutal rape
— WLWT5, Sep 1, 2022

"Fifteen years after a brutal rape and robbery, science has led investigators to a suspect and an arrest in the case. “There was grant funding the commonwealth of Kentucky obtained four or five years ago to take old sexual assault kits off the shelf and have them tested,” Sanders said. The rape kit from the motel attack was entered recently and there was a hit. “Once you have that in the system, they compare it to everything else that was put in the system, and it’s the old game of cards. You flip over and bam, you got a match,” former prosecutor Jason Phillabaum said."

As NC’s decades-old rape kits are tested, new DNA evidence emerges
— Carolina Public Press, Aug 30, 2022

“The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative is an example of excellent coordination between Durham law enforcement and the Durham DA’s Office to hold people accountable for these violent offenses, even years after the fact,” said Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry in a statement."

Great results' from Georgia's new sex assault kit tracking system
— Fox 5, Aug 29, 2022

"Use this in graphic: "We've seen some great results so far," explained Amy Hutsell, program director for the CJCC's Sexual Assault, Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Unit. "Our biggest impact, I think is that we have sent a really strong message to victims and survivors in this state that we care about them.""