Cold Case Unit: First Sex Assault Conviction

In January 2006, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department formed a sexual assault cold case unit. The cold case unit is comprised of only two detectives but they have produced exceptional results. To date, the cold case unit has reviewed 159 cases. They have obtained warrants and/or indictments in 10 cases, cleared 8 cases with arrests and they cleared another 7 cases (identified suspect but either the suspect is deceased, the victim declines to pursue or district attorney declined to prosecute)

One of the cold cases the unit solved has made its way through the court system and led to a conviction. On May 11th, Ardis Ray Fuller, 53, was convicted on all counts of kidnapping and rape. He was sentenced to 42-52 years in prison. Based on his age, he will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Fuller raped a young woman on August 31, 2003. The attack occurred on Thorton Rd and police say Fuller held a knife to the victim’s throat and forced her into the backyard of her residence. Once there, he raped her.

In addition, police say they linked Fuller to two other sexual assault cases. On November 28, 2002, Fuller physically and sexually assaulted a woman on Wilkinson Blvd. On May 15, 2003, Fuller physically and sexually assaulted a woman on Carlyle Drive.

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