An Indiana man who was found guilty of sexually assaulting an 86-year-old woman in her own residence has been given a 40-year prison sentence, as announced by prosecutors in Indiana on Wednesday.
Craig Long, 37, has been sentenced by a Jefferson County judge on Wednesday, as announced by prosecutor David Sutter.
“This conviction is a testament to the commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice, no matter how much time has passed,” said Prosecutor David Sutter. “Without the dedication of our investigators, forensic scientists, and supporting agencies, this case may have never been solved.”
According to Sutter, Long broke into an 86-year-old woman’s home on July 2, 2011. He then assaulted and raped the woman before fleeing. Sutter claims the woman prayed aloud during the crime until Long fled.
In 2024, investigators faced a challenging task in tracking down the suspected rapist as he had been wearing a ski mask during the incident. This made it difficult to identify and apprehend him, and subsequently, the case went cold.
Advancements in DNA technology played a crucial role in linking Long to the crime in January 2025. As a result, he was promptly arrested, and the case did not proceed to trial.
According to Sutter, the victim is still alive and is now a remarkable 100 years old.
The Indiana State Police Cold Case Team played a crucial role in ensuring that Long was brought to justice, according to Sutter.