Wake County, NC – A decades-old sexual assault case has taken a major turn after investigators announced an arrest tied to an alleged crime dating back to the late 1990s.
According to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, the case stems from an alleged sexual assault reported on December 24, 1998, in western Wake County. Deputies at the time were unable to identify a suspect despite repeated investigative efforts, and the case eventually went cold while evidence continued to be preserved and reviewed.
Authorities said a sexual assault kit submitted for analysis later produced a positive match through the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a national database used to connect DNA evidence to convicted offenders and unsolved cases. Investigators repeatedly revisited the case over the years, and advancements in forensic technology allegedly played a key role in identifying a suspect.
On Thursday, following renewed investigative work and consultation with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, deputies arrested 48-year-old Darrell J. Debnam in connection with the case. He is charged with second-degree rape. Officials said Debnam allegedly became a suspect after the DNA match was confirmed and investigators conducted further follow-up to support the arrest.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the investigation remained active over the years, with detectives repeatedly reviewing evidence in hopes of finding new leads. Sheriff Willie Rowe said the arrest highlights how evolving technology can assist in resolving long-standing cases.
Officials added that they hope the arrest provides some level of closure for the survivor, noting that cases of this nature are pursued regardless of how much time has passed.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said additional details may be released as the case proceeds through the legal system.
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