ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The bond amount was raised for the man DNA evidence linked to a 31-year-old sexual assault case Saturday morning.
Investigators believe the arrest of Anthony Stokes in a 31-year-old sexual assault case may be the beginning of the end for other open cases.
Stokes was being held Friday at the Pinellas County Jail on a $100,000 bond, but that was raised to $250,000 after a court appearance Saturday morning.
But for now, the victim in this case no longer has to wonder.
Stokes, of 26th Street South in St. Petersburg, was arrested Friday morning.
"He didn't come across as overly remorseful," St. Petersburg Police Maj. Shannon Halstead said. "I'll just leave it at that."
"The victim was so in fear after this incident, that she had people pack her house and has never returned to the same residence," St. Petersburg Police Maj. Shannon Halstead said. "When we contacted her today, she was incredibly grateful. Worried about he process going forward all these years later, and worried about having to confront the suspect. But we're so grateful for all the detectives that worked on it throughout the years, and especially the advancements in technology and the collaboration with FDLE that helped us close this case."
Stokes was 25-years-old on Dec. 12, 1986 when investigators said he broke into a home and raped a 39-year-old woman at gunpoint.
"She begged for him not to shoot and kill her," Halstead said.
DNA evidence was collected during the initial investigation. The case was reviewed at least four times since then, which Halstead said doesn't usually happen with cold rape cases.
"I would say it's very rare," she said. "We try to do the best we can in evaluating those cold cases. We do it as often as possible but I would say it's rare."
The case was most recently reopened in 2015, where detectives worked with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Stokes, now 56, has previous arrests for shopfitting and prostitution. He also served three years in prison for drug trafficking.
"We know for a fact there are other cases related to this one," Halstead said. "If there is someone out there who thought that 32 years later no one cares, that's not true."
Investigators believe those cases may have happened between 1986 and 1987. Anyone with information about those cases is asked to call (727) 893-7780.
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