Executive Summary
- The CMPD sexual assault cold case unit has solved 744 cases since its creation in 2006.
- The unit was founded by Detective Troy Armstrong using protocols modeled after Scotland Yard.
- High-profile clearances include the "Ski Mask Rapist" and the "Myers Park Rapist."
- Advancements in DNA technology and the establishment of a local crime lab were central to the unit’s success.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) has successfully cleared 744 unsolved sexual assault cases since the establishment of a dedicated cold case unit in 2006, according to department officials. The specialized unit, created to address a significant backlog of files, utilizes advanced forensic technology and protocols modeled after international standards to bring closure to victims of crimes dating back decades.
Retired Detective Troy Armstrong, who founded the unit, stated that he established the division’s protocols based on methods used by Scotland Yard, as they were among the few agencies conducting similar specialized work at the time. Armstrong described finding thousands of case files stored in various locations, including under desks and in storage rooms, with some dating back to the 1960s. The establishment of CMPD’s own crime lab played a pivotal role in the unit’s ability to re-examine evidence from these older files.
Among the high-profile cases solved by the unit was that of the “Ski Mask Rapist,” identified as Jerry Lee Brooks. Mindy Sypher, a survivor raped by Brooks in 1979, told WCNC Charlotte that the case remained unsolved until the cold case unit utilized DNA evidence to identify Brooks in 2012. Armstrong noted that Brooks was linked to a serial pattern involving nine victims.
Another significant clearance involved the 1998 rape of Jessica Perez. According to investigators, the case was solved in 2008 when DNA evidence linked the crime to an individual incarcerated in Ohio for the attempted murder of two police officers. Perez stated that the resolution of the case provided necessary closure after years of uncertainty.
Detective Mike Melendez, who currently helps lead the unit, indicated that the team continues to make regular breakthroughs. The operation is supported largely through grant funding, with plans to expand the team to handle the ongoing workload. Officials emphasized that clearing these cases not only provides justice for past victims but prevents perpetrators from committing future offenses.
Investigative Strategy and Public Safety
The success of the CMPD sexual assault cold case unit highlights the critical role of dedicated resources and evolving forensic technology in modern law enforcement. By prioritizing older files that were previously limited by the scientific capabilities of their time, agencies can significantly reduce case backlogs and remove dangerous offenders from the community. The clearance of over 700 cases demonstrates the efficacy of specialized cold case protocols, particularly when aligned with robust DNA databases and crime lab independence. As this unit relies on grant funding, the sustainability of such specialized investigative bodies often depends on continued financial support to maintain the personnel and technological access required for complex historical inquiries. It is important to note that regarding any ongoing investigations or newly reopened cases, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
