News

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.

Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Program Featured on the Texas Ranger's Hall of Fame and Museum
— Texas Ranger's Hall of Fame and Museum, May 6, 2021

The Texas Ranger's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Program was featured in the Texas Ranger's Hall of Fame and Museum. Click here to learn more!

Suspected 'East Valley Rapist' arrested after 22 years on the run
— AZFAMILY.COM, May 5, 2021

Man is arrested in a series of sexual assaults between July of 1999 and October of 2001 based on DNA evidence and collaboration between multiple agencies.

Mayor Keller, APD and Community Partners Provide Update on Rape Kit Backlog and Status of Cases
— Albuquerque Police Department, May 4, 2021

In April 2020, the last of the rape kits were sent out for testing, ending the decades-long backlog. “I am so filled with gratitude for the commitment to Survivors that has been announced today,” said Jodie Jaramillo, Director of Crisis Services for the Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico. “Testing rape kits sends a fundamental and crucial message to survivors of sexual violence: You matter. What happened to you matters. Your case matters.  Now more than ever we need to continue to stand vigilantly with Survivors and do everything in our power to continue to guarantee them justice, equality, and all the civil rights that belong to the people of New Mexico.”