DNA Match Leads To Charges In 2010 St. Paul Rape
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Authorities have linked DNA from a cold case rape to a suspect who has now been charged with the crime.
Aaron Keith Brown, 33, of St. Paul has been charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Ramsey County Court. Brown is currently in custody in Florida.
Officials charged Brown with an August 1, 2010 rape that occurred in St. Paul near Ivy Avenue and Farrington Street.
According to the criminal complaint, a 19-year-old woman was raped about 12:30 a.m. by a black man who pulled her into the underbrush near that intersection.
After the attack, the victim walked home and then called police who took her to Regions Hospital where they collected a biological sample. That DNA sample was entered into a national DNA index system.
In January, that DNA was matched to Brown's DNA that was taken by Florida law enforcement.
"This case shows how good police work coupled with DNA testing can help us crack seemingly unsolvable crimes and keep our communities safe," said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi in a released statement.
A warrant has been issued for Brown's return to Minnesota to face the rape charge. If convicted, Brown faces up to 30 years in prison.
