Marion County Man Arrested in 1998 Kidnapping Rape Case in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. – A 1998 Tampa Kidnapping and Rape case has been solved and the suspect arrested in Marion County, twenty-two years later.

In September 2020, using genetic genealogy to develop new leads and probable cause in a 22-year-old case, the combined dedicated efforts of the Tampa Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, and United States Marshals Service led to the successful apprehension of 60-year-old James Byrd.

Byrd was arrested in Marion County on Wednesday morning and charged with Armed Kidnapping and Sexual Battery of a 22-year-old female in 1998.

“As is clear in this case, we have never considered an investigation as a cold case’ and we work every case until each one can be successfully solved”, said Chief Dugan.

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