Progress made in prosecuting cold case rape crimes

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Bernalillo County’s cold case rape unit says new testing and reviews helped prosecutors charge 34 people since 2023.

The Bernalillo County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, or SAKI, focuses on cold rape cases tied to the rape kit backlog, Deputy District Attorney Jack Jacks said.

“We investigate and prosecute when we can, cold rape cases from the rape kit backlog,” said Jack Jacks.

A statewide audit in 2016 found more than 5,000 untested rape kits in the state crime lab. A large majority came from Bernalillo County.

Jacks said the backlog is basically clear now, and the unit has moved to secondary reviews of 22 cases.

“So we are moving to get those tested and and identified and see if there is some connection that we’re able to go forward with,” said Jacks.

Funding and next steps?

Modern technology has helped the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office prosecute 34 people since 2023. That includes Ralph Martinez, a former Albuquerque Public Schools bus driver.

“Taking evidence off the steering wheel of a bus to match up the DNA. That’s an example of how important this is because we hold that person responsible, and he’s I think he’s doing 57 years. He’ll die in prison,” said Sam Bregman.

The SAKI unit has received $2 million from the state and $2.8 million in federal grant funding since 2023. The money covers screening, staffing and secondary testing.

“This is too important for too many people, and we’re going to keep doing everything we can to fund it,” said Bregman.

Bernalillo County also wants to expand the work to smaller jurisdictions that do not have the resources or experience to prosecute these cold cases.

“The trauma and pain that happens from an act of violence, sexual violence like these survivors have been through? It doesn’t go away, whether it’s two years ago, whether it’s 20 years ago, or in some cases 30 years ago,” said Jacks.

County leaders said their goal now is to avoid falling behind again on testing or prosecution. Under updated state law, state labs must test a new sexual assault kit within 180 days of receiving it.

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