Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney Gabrielle Mucciola recently announced a significant breakthrough in a 31-year-old sexual assault case with the arrest of Tony Bethea. The collaborative efforts between the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) were pivotal in this development.

The case dates back to March 7, 1993, when a victim reported being sexually assaulted. At that time, evidence was insufficient to charge any suspect. However, the investigation took a new turn when the evidence was processed through the SAKI project. This initiative aims to address older sexual assault cases by advancing forensic science and utilizing the state’s DNA databases.

The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory matched DNA evidence from the unsolved case to Bethea, 53. His DNA profile, previously entered into the West Virginia State DNA Database due to a prior sex offense, established the link that supported further investigation.

As a result of the DNA findings and additional probing by State Police Corporal Matt Sternart, four felony warrants were issued for Bethea, charging him with 2nd Degree Sexual Assault.

The SAKI program, funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, seeks to create a coordinated community response to ensure appropriate resolution of sexual assault cases. It provides vital support to multidisciplinary teams reforming approaches to these sensitive cases, particularly those arising from previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits.

For more information about the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, visit www.sakitta.org/westvirginia/.