Rape kits lead to two indictments in 1993 Cleveland cases; More than 2,400 kits sent to BCI

CLEVELAND - The first two criminal indictments have been filed as a result of increased efforts to examine Ohio's untested rape kits.

An exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation in January first revealed more than 2,000 untested rape kits had been collected after sitting on shelves in police evidence rooms for decades.

Under a program launched by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation began testing rape kits last year for possible DNA matches.

"These two indictments are just the beginning. Our scientists are getting DNA matches on a regular basis and handing that information over to local law enforcement for further investigation. We are thrilled that our effort is now solving cases,” DeWine said in a news release on Friday.

Charles Steele, 60, was indicted for rape and kidnapping a Cleveland woman in abandoned garage in 1993. DeWine said Steele’s DNA matched another attack that happened just eight months later. He is currently in prison for a rape conviction and more charges are pending.

In addition, 42-year-old Anthony Moore has also been indicted for rape, kidnapping, felonious assault and attempted murder for another 1993 crime, DeWine said.

"Law enforcement has a duty to give prison DNA matches a 110 percent effort because 1) they are almost certain convictions and 2) they incapacitate the offender and prevent him from committing his next rape,” McGinty said.

So far, 53 law enforcement agencies have turned over 2,465 untested rape kits to BCI forensic scientist for DNA testing. More than 1,000 cases are from Cleveland.

DeWine predicts "many more indictment to come" and said 600 kits have been tested and 90 have resulted in a DNA hit.