DNA Links Suspect to 8-year-old Niceville Rape Case

A Niceville Police Department detective believes an inmate at an Alabama prison is responsible for an eight-year-old rape case and is working toward having the man brought back to Florida to face trial here.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Kelvin Lamar Moore, 26, currently serving a life term without parole at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala. According to reports, a DNA sample taken from a 1998 Niceville assault was entered into CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System, in 2001. Last year investigators were notified there was a possible match.

Niceville Detective Christine Stalnaker went to Atmore and obtained a DNA sample from Moore. A match, Stalnaker called "off the charts," was confirmed two months ago.

The woman, who was 19 at the time of the rape, has indicated she is prepared to go forward with prosecuting Moore for the crime. Moore will be charged with sexual battery, kidnapping and grand theft auto.

Moore allegedly abducted the woman at gunpoint while she was parked at the Oak Creek Plaza in December 1998. He then drove her to a secluded area near Creek Side subdivision where he raped her and then kicked her out of the car, reports said. Her vehicle was later found back at Oak Creek Plaza.

Moore was stopped in Panama City the next day for driving off from a gasoline station without paying. A background check revealed Moore was wanted in Alabama. He was later extradited and convicted of attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, burglary and robbery in a separate case.

The woman’s identity remains protected.