JEFFERSON CO. – Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Indiana State Police Investigators arrested a 37-year-old Switzerland County, Indiana man on rape and burglary charges following a 13-year investigation
In July 2011, Indiana State Police Detectives began investigating a sexual assault that occurred near Deputy, in Jefferson County, Indiana. The initial investigation indicated that a suspect entered a residence early on July 2, 2011. An adult female in the residence was battered and sexually assaulted by the unidentified male suspect before he left the home.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police responded and began investigating the case. Numerous leads were followed over the course of the investigation, which was led by Detectives with the Indiana State Police-Versailles District. In late 2024, Indiana State Police Laboratory personnel were able to identify a potential family member of the suspect using familial DNA investigative techniques.
Investigators then identified a potential suspect as Craig S. Long, 37, who now resides in Switzerland County, Indiana, although previously lived near Deputy, Indiana. A search warrant was served this week on Long to collect his DNA profile for comparison. Laboratory personnel then compared Long’s profile with the DNA profile obtained from evidence gathered in this case.
On Wednesday, investigators obtained a Jefferson County, Indiana, arrest warrant for Long on charges of two counts of rape, Class A felony, two counts of burglary, Class A felony, and one count of aggravated battery, Class B felony. He was arrested without incident and transported to the Jefferson County Jail.
This morning, Craig Long made his initial court appearance in the Jefferson County Superior Court. During the hearing, the Honorable Judge Blaine Goode ordered that Long continue to be held on a $500,000 Bond.
During this investigation, Indiana State Police Investigators have been assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Switzerland County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, and Indiana State Police Laboratory Personnel.
In early 2024, the Indiana State Police started a cold case unit, which included laboratory personnel training in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) and familial DNA investigative techniques. Jefferson County Prosecutor David Sutter said, “An arrest was made in this case due to the hard work and cooperation of investigators who continued to work on this case over the past 13 years. The expertise and skill of lab personnel trained in using newer DNA investigative techniques was crucial in this investigation.”
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
