A Gouldsboro man is facing charges for a 26-year-old cold case sexual assault in Hancock County.

Who is the Suspect?

After so many years, you have to wonder if the victim, in this case, thought it would never get solved. But modern DNA technology is amazing and is being used to identify suspects in cold cases every day. In Maine, DNA has led police to arrest Jason Follette of Gouldsboro and charge him with gross sexual assault.

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Where Was the Sexual Assault Reported to Have Happened?

Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss says it was in August of 1996 when a 21-year-old woman reported to police that she had been sexually assaulted in her Hancock apartment. Detectives investigated and DNA evidence was collected at the scene. A DNA profile was developed, but it wasn't enough to identify a suspect at that time. That suspect was listed as a 'John Doe' and the case went unsolved for more than two decades.

How Did 26-Year-Old DNA Send Police to a Suspect?

Just recently, the DNA sample was tested by Othram, Inc. which is a company that specializes in forensic genealogy to resolve unsolved crimes. With the modern advances in DNA technology and genetic genealogy, the results pointed toward a suspect. That evidence combined with the investigation by Maine State Police detectives identified Follette as the suspect.

The 56-year-old was arrested at a Gouldsboro pier without incident and transported to the Hancock County Jail. Officials say more charges are possible in this case.

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