News

Federal grant, legislation works to end sexual assault kit backlog in Montana
— Marian Davidson, KTVH, Jul 1, 2021

“We have tested a total of 1,260 unsubmitted, untested kits,” Montana Department of Justice SAKI coordinator Kayla Bragg said. “Those kits range from 1995-2015.” There is still work to be done in Montana—the state has a SAKI grant through 2023. The federally-funded grant will help collect untested kits from 2016-2019, and any partially tested kits."

Newly-tested DNA sample led to arrest in 1993 rape case, Ketchikan police say
— Eric Stone, KRBD-Ketchikan, Jul 1, 2021

Ketchikan police have made an arrest in a 28-year-old rape case. Police credit a recent push to end Alaska’s sexual assault kit backlog with identifying the suspect.

Sexual Assault Kit Initiative leads to Jackson man’s arrest
— WKHM Staff, Jun 27, 2021

Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Jerry Jarzynka announced that a Jackson man has been charged with six counts including Criminal Sexual Conduct and Assault with Intent to Murder thanks to the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

Man, 57, returned to Las Vegas to face trial in 1994 sexual assault
— Katelyn Newbert, Las Vegas Review - Journal, Jun 25, 2021

A national DNA database has linked a 57-year-old man convicted of sexual assault in 1995 to another rape in the Las Vegas Valley the year prior, according to court documents.

Thousands of DNA samples from Washington criminals are missing from DNA database
— Olivia LaVoice, Q13 Fox Seattle, Jun 10, 2021

The AG's Office says since the launch of this mission last summer, 900 lawfully owed DNA samples have been collected. Of those, 700 have been entered into the CODIS DNA database, so far producing matches in seven unsolved cases.

Durham man pleads to sexually assaulting 14-year-old in 2009
— WRAL, Jun 9, 2021

Man sentenced to a minimum of 15 years thanks to the Durham SAKI program and testing previously unsubmitted SAKs.

Former bartender charged with 4 Akron area rapes that date back about 20 years
— Bob Jones, News 5 Cleveland, Jun 1, 2021

DNA evidence leads to arrest of former bartender in four sexual assaults' from the early 2000s.

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.