FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Monday, June 9, 2008

DNA Evidence Links Inmate to Serial Rapes of Elderly Women

Assaults on Wayne County Women Began More Than a Decade Ago; Suspect Disguised as Pizza Delivery Man in Two of Ten Incidents

Wayne County Sheriff Thomas G. Maurer and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) Superintendent Robert Fiatal, today announced a 25-count Grand Jury Indictment against a man who terrorized elderly victims throughout Wayne County.

Jeffrey L. Humrichouser, 49, is charged with multiple sex offenses, after DNA and other forensic evidence linked him to the crimes which spanned 11 years and involved victims ranging in age from 37 to 95.

The evidence collected from each assault was tested by BCI&I and the results entered into the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS.  BCI&I uses the national database to link crimes committed by the same offender and can identify the culprit if that offender’s DNA is in the database.  The first attack on the women took place in August of 1996 and the last attack happened in April of 2007. 

“This case is testimony to the hard work of our deputies who processed the crime scenes, the BCI&I which examined the evidence, and CODIS, which allowed us to use modern technology to solve these horrendous crimes against our senior citizens,” said Sheriff Maurer.

Superintendent Robert Fiatal said newer technology is closing old cases.

“Forensic evidence and CODIS is critically important to solving longtime cold cases, and in this case, was the driving force behind catching this serial rapist,” said Fiatal.  “Without this constantly expanding database of felons’ DNA, modern investigative techniques, and the complete commitment of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, this offender may have never been caught.”

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating the series of break-ins and sex offenses that began in 1996 and occurred primarily in the southeast portion of Wayne County, mainly against seniors.  As investigators compared the similarities in these cases, these offenses appeared to be linked.

DNA evidence recovered at the crime scene and examined by BCI&I had already determined four of the 10 cases were committed by the same offender.  Additional forensic evidence that has since been analyzed, identified Humrichouser as the suspect in a fifth assault.  Current forensic examinations are being conducted to determine if the remaining four cases were committed by the same offender.

“To be able to resolve these repulsive crimes targeting our vulnerable senior population that have been ongoing for more than twelve years is very rewarding,” said Sheriff Maurer.  “These cases remained with our detectives as they continued to work on any leads they were able to develop.  As each of us has a mother and a grandmother, we investigated these cases in a way we would have wanted it worked, if that was our family member.

“The relationship our detectives built with each of the victims was apparent when we were able to meet with them and give them the news that a suspect had been identified and is now charged with their assault.”

After one of the sexual assaults in 2007, Sheriff Maurer asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct an offender profile of the possible offender in these cases.  This was released to the public in January of this year.

“That release generated a lot of calls and allowed our detectives to follow up on those leads”, said Sheriff Maurer.  “Unfortunately those tips did not lead to a suspect. However, the partnerships formed with other agencies remain a vital link for us to successfully bring these ‘cold cases’ to a successful conclusion.”

Jeffrey L. Humrichouser is charged with six counts of rape, a felony of the first degree; six counts of aggravated burglary, a felony of the first degree; one count of felonious assault, a felony of the first degree; seven counts of attempted rape, a felony of the second degree; four counts of gross sexual imposition, a felony of the fourth degree; and one count of disrupting public service, a felony of the fourth degree.  The indictment specifies the crime was committed against the elderly as part of the charges returned by the Grand Jury.  Humrichouser is scheduled to be arraigned on June 11, 2008 at 9:00 AM in the Wayne County Common Pleas Court.

About the suspect:

Humrichouser currently is serving a two-year sentence in the Mansfield Reformatory for an unrelated charge of felonious assault and vehicular assault.  Sentenced in December, 2007 by the Wayne County Common Pleas Court, Humrichouser was transported by deputies to the Ohio Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.  Under Ohio law, all felons must submit a DNA specimen which is analyzed by the Ohio Attorney General’s BCI&I Laboratories.  The result of that analysis then is entered into the CODIS (Combined DNA Index System).

About CODIS (Combined DNA Index System):

CODIS is a computer software program that links local, state, and national databases of DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and missing persons.  Every state in the nation has a statutory provision for the establishment of a DNA database that allows for the collection of DNA profiles from offenders convicted of particular crimes. CODIS software enables state, local, and national law enforcement crime laboratories to compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking serial crimes to each other and identifying suspects by matching DNA profiles from crime scenes with profiles from convicted offenders.

About the crimes:

Additional investigation and laboratory examinations are being conducted and additional charges are possible. 

THOMAS G. MAURER, SHERIFF
201 West North Street
Wooster OH   44691
330-287-5750

wcso@wcjustice-center.org
www.waynecountysheriff.com

 Jeffrey L. Humrichouser

Currently serving a two year sentence at the Mansfield Correctional Institution for
Aggravated Vehicular Assault and Felonious Assault
Release date:  December 4, 2009 .

 
Address prior to incarceration:
605 North Geyers Chapel Road
Wooster OH   44691
 

Physical Description:
Race:  White
Sex:  Male
Date of Birth:  February 9, 1959
Hair:  Brown
Eyes:  Brown
Height:  5’11”
Weight:  175 lbs.

PRESS RELEASE

April 30, 2008

Wayne County Sheriff Thomas G. Maurer was re-elected as the Ohio representative for local law enforcement on the MAGLOCLEN (Mid Atlantic Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network) policy board.  Sheriff Maurer was re-elected to the policy board by a vote taken of all representatives from Ohio who hold membership in MAGLOCLEN during the annual conference.  Sheriff Maurer has served as a member of the policy board since 2002. 

After being re-elected to the policy board, members of the policy board then elected Sheriff Maurer to serve as the First Vice President.  Maurer had previously served as the Second Vice President.  MAGLOCLEN serves law enforcement agencies in a eight state region including New York , Pennsylvania , Delaware , Maryland , Ohio , Michigan , Indiana and New Jersey . 

MAGLOCLEN is involved daily in the securing of national confidential information throughout the United States .  MAGLOCLEN is part of the RISS system (Regional Information Sharing System), comprised of six centers throughout the United States .  Through these centers pertinent information is shared among law enforcement agencies dealing with drug threats, terrorist threats, nuclear and transportation threats. 

Current initiatives being explored include a link for Ohio ’s drug task forces combining their database with a portal into the RISS system.  RISS is also assisting The New Scotland Yard in London , England with known technology to interlink 43 law enforcement agencies giving then the ability to sharing confidential information for the upcoming 2012 Olympics.  MAGLOCLEN also assists local member agencies in analytical reports, confidential funds, specialized equipment, training and the networking of thousands of law enforcement officers.

“Through MAGLOCLEN I have been fortunate to bring some of the best training and trainers from all over the United States to Wayne County and Ohio .  This has allowed us to provide excellent training opportunities at a minimal cost for the betterment of law enforcement”, says Sheriff Maurer.  “Technology and tomorrow’s intelligence based work is on the forefront through this organization.  It is truly an honor to be elected to serve not only local law enforcement, but in a leadership role to enhance the services provided by MAGLOCLEN”, states Sheriff Maurer. 

SCAM ALERT

Wayne County Sheriff Thomas G. Maurer wishes to bring to your attention a scam that targets our elderly.

This scam involves the victim being contacted by a person who tells them that they have won a large amount of money from a sweepstakes or lottery. The caller then tells the victim that they will need to pay several thousand dollars to “insure” or “claim” this prize.

The victim is then conned into sending money to the con artist via an electronic transfer.

In some cases, the con artist will make arrangements for a common courier to come to the victim’s home to pick up the money.

As you may guess, there are no prize or lottery winnings. This is simply a method of scamming seniors out of their hard earned money.

Sheriff Maurer states that these types of scams are nothing new, but states that the Sheriff’s Office has noticed an increase of these types of cases in our area.

Sheriff Maurer offers the following advice to protect yourself from this type of fraud…

• Never send money to a stranger using a money transfer service.
• Beware of deals or opportunities that seem too good to be true. 
• Do not use money transfer services to pay for things like online auction purchases. 
• Never send money to pay for taxes or fees on foreign lottery winnings.

PRESS RELEASE

January 2, 2008

Wayne County Sheriff Thomas G. Maurer reports that his office continues to aggressively investigate a series of crimes involving the sexual assault of elderly women within Wayne County and is asking the public to help.

Sheriff Maurer stated that detectives from his office have devoted a considerable amount of time and resources investigating these assaults, which date back as far as 1996.  "As the detectives continue to pursue leads, we are hopeful that members of the public may come forward with additional information that could lead to the arrest of the offender", Sheriff Maurer said.

Sheriff Maurer went on to add that his office has been working closely with the FBI in developing a profile for the offender in these horrific and disturbing attacks.

The profile that the FBI has developed for us is one of a person who does not stand out from the crowd, Maurer said.  We are looking for a white male, age 35-45, who lives or works within a close proximity of Wayne County.  We believe that this person is somewhat shy and tends to avoid interaction with others.  Our suspect may live with a partner but more than likely lives alone or with his parents.

It is likely that he is steadily employed and may work in close proximity to elderly women.  This person could be employed in a wide variety of professions that deal with the elderly.  Examples include, but are not limited to, the area of medical care, as a delivery person, or as a volunteer with churches or other organizations.

Clearly, not everyone who fits the profile outlined above is a suspect, Maurer said.

"We are looking for the person who not only fits this general profile, but also may have a history of inappropriate contact with elderly women.  This contact could be not only physical, but could also include questions pertaining to the females' living situations".  There is a possibility that his history may have not been reported to officials.

I would encourage people who may have information about anyone who may fit this profile to contact my office.  I can insure that these tips will remain anonymous.

I am hopeful that the citizens of Wayne County share my concern that there is an offender who preys on our elderly and will join us in bringing these cases to a quick conclusion.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office recently held its annual “Awards Meeting”.  Three employees were selected by their peers and supervisors to receive Employee of the Year awards for 2007.

Employees of the year are selected by their peers through nominations and some of their qualities must include their work ethics, helpfulness, politeness, professionalism, and ability.

Sergeant Mike Smucker was selected as “Officer of the Year” for the Corrections Division.  Sergeant Smucker began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in September 2000.  He was promoted to his current rank of sergeant in 2007.  Some of Mike’s attributes include the fact that he is one to always participate in both on duty and off duty functions.  Mike is a member of the honor guard and participates in parades on his off duty time.  Mike has served as union steward for the deputies.  Mike, his wife, and two children live in the Orrville area and are active in the Orrville Christian Church.

Deputy was selected as the Law Enforcement “Officer of the Year”.  Scott began his career with the office in April of 1996.   Nomination comments included; “he’s simply a good officer, always willing to help, and a team player”.  This past summer Deputy Ries was involved in a case where multiple all terrain vehicles were stolen.  As a result of his persistence and observations, suspects were identified and arrested for the thefts.  Furthermore, while traveling to an off duty event, Scott overheard radio communications involving a burglary in progress at an occupied home.  Deputy Ries took the initiative, responded, and was the first on scene.  He viewed the suspect fleeing the residence and ordered him to stop.  Upon approach of the suspect he was found to have a loaded semi-automatic pistol in the waistband of his pants, covered by his shirt.  The subject was arrested and later convicted for the attempted burglary and the firearm offense.  Scott, his wife, and two children live in the Marshallville area.

Stephenie Ogden was selected as the Administrative Employee of the Year.  Stephenie began her employment with the Sheriff’s Office in 2006.  And even though she is a relatively new employee Stephenie has gotten involved in many facets of the Sheriff’s Office.  Besides her daily duties, Stephenie helps with coordinating meetings, training agendas, and countywide office events.  During her leisure time, she is the Northwestern Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach and also coaches for the Wooster Elite Traveling Volleyball team.  Stephenie resides in the Wooster area.

These employees have been honored by their peers for the quality of their work and life styles.  “We are proud of them and the work they do” stated Sheriff Thomas G. Maurer.  “These employees help make up the nearly 100 employee work force at the Sheriff’s Office, and help make this county a safe and fun place to live and raise a family.”

Wayne County Sheriff's Office, 201 W. North Street,  Wooster Ohio 44691
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