Maine man arrested in rape and kidnapping of 24-year-old in Holland thanks to DNA testing: DA

Jamie Dodge, of Brownville, Maine, is charged with aggravated rape and kidnapping in connection with an attack in Holland, just outside Springfield, the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office said. He was held on $250,000 bail.

On July 23, 2000, a woman told police that a man grabbed her, dragged her into a nearby forest and raped her. She described the man to police, but despite their best efforts, authorities were unable to find her attacker.

But they did collect some of his DNA, the prosecutor said. Technicians tested the genetic material in 2001, but investigators found no match in any police database.

Investigators recently delivered the DNA sample to Parabon Nanolabs in Reston, Virginia, and lab technicians were able to link it to Dodge using genetic genealogy. From there, the Hampden County Unresolved Case Unit began the investigation.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said this arrest should scare anyone who has committed a violent crime but has not yet been arrested. Justice is coming, he said.

This arrest represents a significant milestone for law enforcement in Hampden County. For the first time, forensic genetic genealogy has contributed to the arrest of a criminal. This technology is an important investigative tool and is being used more frequently. I would like to thank the members of my Cold Case Unit, Assistant District Attorney Beth Dunphy Farris, Massachusetts State Police Officer Thomas Sullivan, Cassidy Seaver and Victim Witness Advocate Deb Chieco for their dedicated work in bringing this perpetrator to justice. For the victim in this case and for other victims and their families whose cases remain unsolved, this arrest represents hope. It also means that we don’t forget. It is our mission to achieve justice for you. We stand by your side and do our best to bring criminals to justice.

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