Santa Paula Police Department – Incident Press Release
DNA match leads to the arrest of a suspect for the 2013 abduction and sexual assault of a Santa Paula woman.
In May of 2013, a female Santa Paula resident was walking in the 15000 block of Santa Paula Street, in the unincorporated area of Santa Paula. The woman was grabbed by a male suspect who was armed with a knife. The suspect forced the victim into a nearby orchard and sexually assaulted her. During this time, the suspect threatened the victim, placing her in fear for her life. The suspect then fled the area. An exhaustive search took place but the suspect was not located or identified.
During the investigation, DNA evidence was collected. This evidence was analyzed by the Sheriff’s Forensic Sciences Laboratory and the suspect’s DNA was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). At that time, the DNA from the suspect did not match any of the known samples in the CODIS system. Further investigation occurred but the suspect still was not identified.
In 2018, investigators received notification of a CODIS match to the DNA of Leroy Chad Tracy, another resident of the Santa Paula area. This was the result of Tracy’s DNA being collected after an arrest for an unrelated crime. Tracy’s DNA sample was then entered into the CODIS system which resulted in a match to the 2013 assault.
Further investigation by detectives and scientists from the Sheriff’s Forensic Services Laboratory revealed additional evidence confirming Tracy was the suspect in this case.
Based on the results of this ongoing investigation, detectives contacted Tracy today in the 700 block of Sespe Avenue and arrested him for four felony counts related to the kidnapping and sexual assault of the victim. Tracy was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility with a request for his bail to be set at $1,000,000.00. He is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on April 19, 2019.
The Sheriff’s Office is requesting that anyone with information about this incident or other incidents involving Leroy Tracy contact Detective Cameron Henderson at (805) 384-4722 or by email at [email protected].
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for these types of crimes. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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