Rape kit from 2006 leads to charges; SLCPD seeks second suspect

File photo: Pixabay/Diego Parra

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 4, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A man has been charged with three first-degree felonies in 12-year-old sexual assault case, the Salt Lake City Police officials said Thursday.

The victim, who was 16 at the time of the assault, called the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative information line last year, the SLCPD said in a news release. The incident occurred in the Glendale area in 2006, officials said.

The call assisted officials in identifying, testing, and investigating the case, officials said.

Detectives are currently following leads to verify the identity of a second suspect believed to have been involved in the incident.

The possible vehicle the suspects drove at the time is described as a red, two-door, Honda with a black hood.

The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative webpage says: “An inventory of Salt Lake County law enforcement’s evidence rooms identified 1,751 unsubmitted sexual assault kits in 2016. It is estimated there are approximately 2,700 unsubmitted sexual assault kits in Utah. Utah is not alone. It is estimated there are hundreds of thousands of unsubmitted sexual assault kits across the United States.

“With advances in DNA technology, increases in state and federal funding for rape and sexual assault, new research surfacing about the neurobiology of trauma, and growing media attention surrounding rape and sexual assault, many of the once considered ‘unsubmitted’ sexual assault kits are now making their way to forensic laboratories across the nation.”

The news release concludes: “If you or someone you know has been a victim of a sexual assault please report the crime to your local law enforcement agency and a victim advocacy group.”

Anyone who has information on this case should contact SLCPD, the reference number is 06-117702.

If you would like more information on the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative click here or call the information line on 801-893-1145.

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