New York City - For years, rape crime scene evidence was collected but never tested for tell-tale DNA, re-victimizing rape survivors and letting sexual predators off the hook. By 1998 the problem was dire, with 16,000 evidence collection kits sitting untested in police warehouses, and hundreds of cases unsolved. But a new study conducted by Rep. Anthony Weiner’s Office (D-Queens & Brooklyn) shows that a rigorous testing program has resulted in more than 12,000 kits tested since 2000, 154 cold rape cases solved, and leads in over 200 more. Weiner, joined by Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan & Queens) and Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan), released the study today with rape victims and advocates.

In 1996, New York began storing DNA samples from convicted felons in data banks, and comparing them to samples taken from crime scenes: a match meant that investigators had their man. But for years "rape kits"–DNA collected during rape investigations–went untested, instead piling up in police warehouses by the thousands. The good news: by April, all 16,000 untested rape kits will have been tested, thanks to a multi-million dollar investment by the city and the first ever federal funding for rape kit testing, secured under Rep. Weiner’s DNA Backlog Elimination Act of 2000.

Last month, NYC received its first infusion of federal cash to fund rape kit testing, thanks to Rep. Weiner’s DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000, which makes $25 million a year available nationwide for back log testing. This Congress, Weiner introduced the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2002, which would make an additional $275 million available to analyze crime scene evidence. Rep. Weiner is also the author of a new law requiring DOJ to conduct a nationwide survey of every jurisdiction in the United States to ascertain the total number of untested rape kits that remain in the U.S., and to identify those places where the backlog is at its worst.

"The progress New York City has made in cutting the rape kit backlog is nothing short of remarkable, and I applaud the hard working men and women of the New York Police Department for their efforts," said Rep. Weiner. "But DNA evidence is our best tool for catching dangerous criminals, and we’ve got to do more to ensure that police have the resources they need to use it. Otherwise, victims and their families are left to wait for justice, while those who attacked them evade responsibility."

"DNA evidence is our best weapon to fight rapists, but it’s not being used effectively," said Rep. Maloney. "The failure to process DNA evidence quickly and correctly has left thousands of victims without justice."

"It is simply outrageous that there are so many untested DNA rape kits nationwide, sitting idle in the back of police stations," said Rep. Nadler. "Congress must appropriate all funds necessary to process these rape kits and give America’s police the tools they need to put those who harm women behind bars."

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Frank Baylor INDICTED for Rapes, Sodomy, Sexual Abuse - In December of 1991, a 16 year old girl was sodomized on her way to choir practice, in Queens. In October 1992, a 17 year old girl was raped walking home from work, in Queens. In both cases, the victim was dragged to an isolated location and raped at gunpoint. Frank Baylor, who’s criminal record spans 3 decades and includes prior rapes, was indicted for both incidents in February after his DNA was found to match that contained in the victims’s backlogged rape kits. Investigators believe Baylor may be responsible for approximately 3 dozen rapes in Queens and Nassau counties. He is currently being prosecuted by the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

Moussa Balde INDICTED for Rapes, Sodomy - On January 9, 2000, a 22 year old college student was dragged down a driveway and raped while walking home from the subway, in Queens. A 29 year old dance student was raped and sodomized in similar fashion in July of 2001, also in Queens. Moussa Balde was subsequently arrested for a series of burglaries, and his DNA was found to match DNA contained in the rape victims rape kits. He was indicted in January, and is being prosecuted by the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

Ceasar Bones INDICTED for Rape, Sexual Abuse, Assault - On February 25, 1996, the victim was walking in Queens and listening to her walkman when a man approached her from behind, placed a gun to her head, and dragged her to an alley where she was raped. Ceasar Bones was subsequently arrested for an unconnected offense, a DNA sample was submitted to the New York State data bank and found to match that from the February 1996 rape. He is being prosecuted by the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

Roland Johnson INDICTED for Rape - During the early morning hours of August 29, 1997, an NYU grad student was attacked from behind while entering her apartment in the village. Her assailant threw her to the floor, raped her, threatened to kill her, and fled. In 2001, Roland Johnson was arrested for grand larceny, a blood sample was taken, uploaded into CODIS, and found to match DNA taken from the August 1997 rape kit. He was indicted in March. His case is being prosecuted by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.