DNA match solves Aurora rape case

A state DNA database has helped convict an Aurora man in a previously unsolved attack and rape from 2001.

On Friday, Isreal Garza, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse for restraining a 26-year-old Aurora woman while assaulting her.

Garza is currently serving a seven-year sentence for pointing a gun at police officers in 2002. After being sentenced in that case, Garza was required to submit a DNA sample, which was registered in the state's database.

Garza's DNA matched a sample taken from the 2001 Aurora rape case.

According to the DuPage County state's attorney's office, on July 28, 2001, Garza entered the bedroom of his victim armed with a gun, placed tape over her mouth and threatened to kill her if she screamed.

Garza then dragged his victim to another room in the house where he sexually assaulted her before fleeing, prosecutors said. After Garza left, the woman freed herself and went to the house of a friend, who took her to the hospital.

"This case is a perfect example of just how important it was to expand the state's DNA database to include all convicted felons," said DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett. "Without this expanded database, Mr. Garza would have been out on parole from his previous convictions in April 2010, free to prey on others as he saw fit.

"The victim of this horrific attack was unable to identify him but thankfully, however, our felony DNA database could positively identify Mr. Garza and we were able to solve this terrible crime."

Garza will have to serve 85 percent of his 40-year sentence for assault.