Suspect Arrested In 20-Year-Old Fort Myers Rape Case

A 19-year-old rape case in Fort Myers Beach seems to be solved, thanks to DNA.  

Lee County Sheriff's detectives matched crime scene DNA with 51-year-old Cornelius Florman.

Source: NBC News2

The alleged rape happened in June 1998. 

A 44-year-old woman left The Reef Bar on Fort Myers Beach. While in the parking lot, she was approached by a man known only as "Cody," now identified as Florman, who asked for a ride off the beach.

While en route, the suspect struck her in the face, knocking her out. When she woke up, she was in a wooded area and the suspect was raping her.

Eventually she was able to get away and call 911. She was taken to a rape crisis center in Fort Myers. A rape was kit was performed was turned over to deputies. 

That rape kit sat on a shelf, untested, for the next 18 years.

Florman was arrested in Virginia Tuesday afternoon. He will be brought back to Florida to face this charge.


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