DNA Hit Leads To Arrest In Area Child's 2016 Sex Assault

WATSONVILLE, CA – A Watsonville man was arrested today in connection with the 2016 sexual assault of a girl after a DNA match allegedly linked him to the crime, officials said.

Rafael Orozco, 22, was arrested by detectives this morning at a Watsonville home, according to the Watsonville Police Department.

In 2016, a 13-year-old child, who reported she was sexually assaulted, was taken to a local hospital where a medical exam was completed, police said.

A year later, Orozco's DNA was entered into the Combined DNA Index System, known as CODIS, following an arrest for an alleged felony assault in 2017 -- and that sample reportedly linked him to the case involving the 13-year-old, the agency said. After the DNA hit was purportedly confirmed, Watsonville detectives launched the arrest process.

"This is a perfect example of how DNA evidence continues to evolve and help law enforcement agencies across the country solve crimes," the department said.

• ALSO SEE: Santa Cruz Co. Man Surrenders At Jail On Murder Charge

--Image via Watsonville PD