DNA leads to charges in string of 1980s rapes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A man in prison for robbery has been charged in five rapes that occurred 20 years ago, authorities said Friday.

A DNA sample taken earlier this year from Gary L. Jackman, 54, led to the 11-count indictment against him, which could result in several life sentences.

The cases -- spanning from June 1985 to April 1986 -- are similar. Police said all of the victims were sleeping or in bed when Jackman slipped into their homes, threatened them with weapons, fondled and raped them, then ordered them to shower in an apparent attempt to destroy forensic evidence.

DNA samples were collected from the victims and, in one case, from a victim's sheets, and were matched to Jackman after he was swabbed in May.

"This investigation shows the power of forensic and DNA technology," Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Sanders said in announcing the charges, which were filed Tuesday but sealed until Friday.

Jackman, who is jailed at the Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green, has requested an attorney, according to a probable cause statement.

The charges include five counts of sodomy and six counts of rape. Sanders said it was possible Jackman had raped other women.