A 15 year old Cold Case was solved yesterday and a 42-year-old Salem man has been arrested for sexually assaulting a boy in 1999.
Eric S. Jones, 42, from Alexander Avenue in Salem, was arrested after his DNA was matched to DNA taken from the scene. Jones was already in jail in Scott County on unrelated charges.
On Tuesday October 26th of 1999, in the evening hours, Jones allegedly broke into a home located on Commerce Drive in Salem.
After breaking into the home he allegedly battered and sexually assaulted a twelve year old boy.
The boy stated he had come home to what he thought was an empty home. When he entered the residence he was allegedly attacked by Jones whom had broken into the home, while no one was there.
Jones allegedly asked if the boy’s mother was home. The victim replied no. Jones then allegedly brutally battered and sexually assaulted the young boy. Jones heard someone coming to the home he fled on foot.
At the time of this crime, the identity of the attacker was unknown.
Investigators from the Indiana State Police investigated the crime but were unable to find who had assaulted the young boy. Crime Scene Investigators from the Indiana State Police processed the crime and were able to locate items of evidence.
The investigation was considered a “cold case”, until Friday July 24th, 2015, (fifteen years later).
On this date Indiana State Police Detective Bill Wibbels, who had assumed responsibility for the case, was advised by the Indiana State Police Laboratory they had found a DNA match for a suspect in the case. The DNA match was to Eric S. Jones.
Detective Wibbels sought an arrest warrant for the arrest of Eric S. Jones through the Washington County Courts.
On yesterday’s date the warrant was issued and Detective Wibbels served the arrest warrant on Eric S. Jones for Child Molesting, A Felony.
Jones was already incarcerated at the Scott County Jail on unrelated charges.
Assisting Agencies-Washington County Prosecutor, Washington County Sheriff’s Department and the Salem Police Department.
