Collier County man caught 21 years later for 2004 crimes

COLLIER COUNTY - After 21 years, a man is now in the Collier County Jail for crimes that allegedly occurred in 2004.

Rossel Moises Ponce Chirinos faces charges of sexual battery and armed robbery.

Chirinos was arrested in Tennessee a few weeks ago and extradited to Collier County yesterday. He is currently being held without bond.

Authorities say on Aug. 28, 2004, a masked intruder armed with a knife sexually assaulted a woman in her home. DNA was collected, but investigators couldn't find a match until Chirinos was arrested in Cocke County, Tennessee, last year for driving without a valid license. His DNA was collected and matched the evidence from the 2004 case in Golden Gates.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed the DNA match, leading to Chirinos' arrest and extradition to Collier County.

Judge Rob Crown said, "The state's request is for no bond per county, because both counts are classified as dangerous crimes. Both counts are also life felonies category, and the court finds that the proof of guilt is evident based on the DNA evidence."

DNA technology has been pivotal in solving cold cases. WINK News security analyst Richard Kolko explained that the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) links DNA from crime scenes and arrestees, allowing federal, state, and local labs to compare samples. This system has led to solving crimes, locating missing people, and identifying serial offenders.

"Major improvements in the technology over the past few years have led to many old cold cases being solved," said Kolko.

Different states have varying laws, but it is common for those arrested for violent crimes to provide DNA samples. In Florida, a recent law requires samples from all arrests, despite some court challenges.

The samples are maintained whether an individual is found innocent or guilty, although steps can be taken to remove a sample if innocence is proven.