News

Prosthetic leg links man to multiple kidnappings, rapes over 7 years in KC, police say
— Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansascity.com, Mar 18, 2024

"A 65-year-old Raytown man is now facing multiple charges for alleged sexual assaults over the past 12 years, prosecutors say. Warren Carter has been charged with kidnapping, forcible sodomy, forcible rape, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, three counts of first degree sodomy and two counts of first-degree rape."

Man who sexually assaulted two Mesa women, killing one 30+ years ago gets life in prison
— AZFamily Digital News Staff, Mar 15, 2024

"A man has been given life in prison after he pleaded guilty to a 1989 murder and sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman. It wasn’t until recently, when the DNA samples connected the crime scenes, that investigators had solid proof that tied Thomas David Cox as the primary suspect. Cold case detectives were able to use advanced DNA testing thanks to federal funding under the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative."

86-year-old man sentenced to 20 years in prison for 1986 Garland murder
— Peyton Yager, Fox 4, Mar 12, 2024

An 86-year-old man will likely live out his final years in prison after being captured and convicted for a murder that happened nearly 40 years ago. Advances in DNA technology made it happen.

Alleged serial rapist arrested after new unit begins to test decades-old rape kits
— WSBTV.com News Staff, Mar 7, 2024

"A specialized unit has made the first arrest involving a new batch of thousands of rape test kits dating back decades. Now, if the allegations are true, four victims who have lived with what happened to them since the 1980s now have a shot at justice."

PPB Brings Back Cold Case Unit
— Heather Roberts, OR Radio News Network, KBND.com, Mar 7, 2024

PPB is one of eight agencies around the country to receive a National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative grant. Portland received $2.5 million to fund four detectives and provide $300,000 to conduct Forensic Genetic Genealogy testing. Homicides will be the top priority for the unit. Violent crimes will be prioritized based on time remaining on the statute of limitations. "We are, to the best of our ability, very committed to trying to find resolutions and answers for folks. And this grant, at a time of limited resources, limited capabilities, is going to be a huge, huge asset for us," says Portland Police Chief Bob Day.

Dept. of Justice: Jury finds Minnesota man guilty of 2005 Madison bike path sexual assault
— wispolitics.com, Feb 23, 2024

"Yesterday, Aidison Yang, 42 of Eagan, Minnesota, was found guilty by a jury of three counts of First Degree Sexual Assault by Use or Threat of Use of a Dangerous Weapon, in connection with a 2005 sexual assault on a Madison bike path. The trial was presided over by Dane County Circuit Court Judge Ellen Berz. “Justice is finally being served for the violent crimes the defendant committed in 2005,” said Attorney General Kaul. “I’m grateful to the many people who have worked together to hold the defendant accountable.”

DNA leads to charges from 2012 sexual assault
— Rachel Ramsey, WLNS, Feb 22, 2024

"DNA has led to charges in connection to a 2012 sexual assault case. Law enforcement officials say the charges are the result of their sexual assault kit initiative (SAKI). Curtis Lee Fleming was arraigned Thursday. He was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, and kidnapping."

Lansing Man Sentenced up to 80 years in 2012 Cold-Case Sexual Assault
— Michigan.gov, Feb 14, 2024

"Today, Judge James Jamo in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County sentenced Marshawn James Curtis, 30, of Lansing, to 17.5 - 80 years for a rape committed in 2012, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane. Curtis was found guilty of one count of first-degree Criminal Sexual Conduct by an Ingham County jury on December 1st following a cold-case investigation and prosecution by the Ingham/Jackson Regional Sexual Assault Team."

Second man arrested in connection with 2008 rape of Davenport woman
— Thomas Geyer, The Dispatch Argus, Feb 14, 2024

"A second man has been arrested in connection with the 2008 rape of a Davenport woman, police said. Christopher Craig McVay Jr., 37, is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of second-degree sexual abuse. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years."

Specialized Boston police sex assault unit marks first conviction
— Karen Anderson & Kevin Rothstein, WCVB 5, Feb 14, 2024

"A specialized Boston police unit investigating sexual assaults has reached a milestone: its first conviction. William Mancortes pled guilty in Suffolk Superior Court last December and was sentenced to 10-12 years in prison for raping two women who thought he was an Uber driver."