Coral Springs Police Detectives with the assistance of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, solved a 31 year old violent sexually battery case.
On October 22, 1987, a 27 year old female was violently attacked and raped after the unknown suspect entered her residence in the middle of the night. The victim woke up to an unknown male standing over her while she slept inside of her bedroom. During the statement taken in 1987, the victim advised the male was wearing a dark colored ski masked and possibly “socks”, “gloves” or “mitts” on his hands. The victim was held down by the attacker and fearing for her life she was forced to comply with his demands.
Following the attack, the victim immediately contacted the Coral Springs Police Department after the suspect fled the area. During the investigation forensic evidence was collected from the scene and sent to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab for analysis. At the time of the incident evidence collected was unable to connect a suspect to the crime.
On March 2018, Detectives from the Special Victims Unit were assigned the cold case and began meticulously reviewing the case. After evaluating the evidence they coordinated with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab to have the forensic evidence tested again. On May 29, 2018, and thanks to advances in DNA technology, BSO Crime Lab advised there was a positive suspect DNA profile from the evidence submitted. The suspect was identified as Frank Montana “aka Frank Cruz” (DOB 10/18/1958). Based on the findings of the investigation an arrest warrant was obtained for the defendant. Frank Montana’s criminal history revealed a prior arrest for a sexual battery case in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Due to the persistent efforts of Coral Springs Police Detectives and assistance of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab and the U.S. Marshalls Task Force, Frank Montana was located and arrested in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Frank Montana has been charged with two counts of Sexual Battery with a weapon and Armed Burglary/Dwelling.
More reading : How Science is Putting a New Face on Crime Solving ( National Geographic Article. )
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