DNA leads police to rape suspect eight yeas after the crime

COVINGTON, Ky. - Covington Police arrested a Park Hills man for rape after a DNA sample tested positive eight years after the crime.

Anthony Jackson, 47, is being held at the Kenton County Jail charged with rape and robbery.

Col. Spike Jones of the Covington Police said Jackson attacked a teenager back in 2002 on Madison Avenue near Holmes High School.

"He approached her from behind and dragged her into a secluded area there near Holmes High School and forcibly raped her," said Jones.

The victim wasn't able to give a good description of the suspect but a DNA sample was taken.

"Really, all we had to go on was the evidence that was collected from the sexual assault kit that was produced over at the hospital that morning," said Jones.

Eight years later, a computerized DNA databank called CODIS came back with a positive match.

As a result, Covington Police arrested Jackson.

The match came after a 2009 law requiring all convicted felons to submit a sample.

Jackson submitted his as a result of drug charges.

"In Kentucky, we're actually farther down the line, we're one of the latter states to get involved with collection of DNA from all felons but we are starting to see it kick in. We are starting to see a lot of old cases solved because of these DNA matches," said Rob Sanders, Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Under the new law, Covington police also closed two other rape cases that occurred in 1986 and 1999.

"It's been a God-send for us in connecting some of the dots and putting the bad guys in jail," said Jones.

Jackson being held on a $100,000 bond at the Kenton County Jail.