DNA links Orem man to rape of 11-year-old walking to school, police say

Jayson Q. Johnson, 26, of Orem, was arrested Friday for investigation of raping an 11-year-old girl who was attacked as she walked to school in February. Johnson lives just two blocks from where the crime occurred.

Utah County Jail

OREM Police say the monthslong search for a man who raped an 11-year-old Orem girl in February is likely over after DNA evidence matched with a convicted felon.

Jayson Q. Johnson, 26, of Orem, was booked into the Utah County Jail Friday for investigation of rape of a child, aggravated sexual abuse of a child and kidnapping of a child. He lives just two blocks from where the attack occurred.

It's an arrest that brought some much-needed emotional relief to an 11-year-old girl and her family.

"Obviously, having such a violent personal encounter, she was very happy to know that he was in custody," Orem Police Sgt. Matt Pedersen said. "The family's very excited that an arrest was made and hopefully can move forward with a little more confidence now."

On the morning of Feb. 5, the girl was walking to Cherry Hill Elementary, 250 E. 600 South, when a man grabbed her by her backpack as she was entering through a gate onto the school grounds. The man told her she couldn't enter there and that he would show her where to go and pushed her down the street, according to police.

The man led the girl behind a garbage bin at a church and sexually assaulted her, then put her inside the Dumpster and raped her, police said. The attacker left her inside the bin and told her not to tell anyone.

One he was gone, the girl ran to the school and told teachers what had happened. Police were called, and the girl offered a detailed description of the man. She also underwent a forensic physical exam, and officials were able to collect evidence to submit to the Utah State Crime Lab for DNA testing.

Police later recovered "a very distinct shoe pattern" in the fresh snow at the scene, Pedersen said.

See the rest here:
DNA links Orem man to rape of 11-year-old walking to school, police say