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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."

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."

Davenport Police link DNA to 2008 sexual assault
Linda Cook, ourquadcities.com, Feb 10, 2024

"A 35-year-old Davenport man is in custody after law enforcement allege DNA is connected to a sexual assault from 2008. Samuel Thompson faces a felony charge of second-degree sexual abuse, court records show. On Jan. 31, 2018, Davenport Police submitted the sexual assault kit as part of the SAKI (The National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative) Project. On Sept. 20, 2023, Davenport Police received notification from DCI of a CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) hit on the male DNA located in the sexual assault kit submitted in this case. The CODIS hit was for the co-defendant in this case, according to affidavits."

Justice delayed 'but not denied' | Man convicted in 35-year-old rape in Memphis
Kim Chaney, Localmemphis.com, Feb 6, 2024

"The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that a man has been convicted in a rape 35 years ago. D.A. Steve Mulroy said Tony Stafford was found guilty of the rape of an 18-year-old woman in 1988. He will be sentenced March 7. The D.A. said at the time of the rape, no suspects were identified. Then in 2015, rape kit swabs and clothing were sent out for testing, and results came back in 2016. That was uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), and in 2018, Tony Stafford was identified as the suspect. The D.A. said Stafford had prior convictions for sex offenses in Washington County, Tennessee, and Utah."

Durham snags $1.15M federal grant to test rape evidence kits, prosecute sex crime cold cases
CBS11 (WTVD), Jan 25, 2024

"The push to get justice for more victims of sexual assault crimes in Durham got a boost Tuesday. The Durham County District Attorney's Office announced it had received a federal grant worth $1.15 million to continue the prosecution of cases charged as the result of sexual assault evidence kits."

Man charged in 1998 Raleigh rape case, given $3 million bond
WRAL News, Jan 25, 2024

"A man has been charged in connection with a decades-old rape case in Raleigh after a sexual assault kit and DNA database brought new evidence to light. Averette Alston was charged for his alleged role in a sexual assault from Aug. 26, 1998, on South State Street."