Fayetteville man arrested for 1997 rape after cold case reopened in 2015

Fayetteville detectives arrested a man in connection to a rape police say happened in October 1997.

Linford Deamoris Moore, 55, of Fayetteville, is charged with first-degree rape, first-degree kidnapping and felony breaking and entering.

Authorities are holding Moore at the Cumberland County jail under a $350,000 secured bond.

Fayetteville police and Hope Mills police arrested Moore on Wednesday, Sept. 13 in Hope Mills.

A victim told police she was asleep in her home when she was awakened by a man shining a flashlight in her face. Police said the victim claimed the man put a bag over her head and sexually assaulted her.

Fayetteville police detective Jessica Lewis said a sexual assault kit was completed on the victim.

Authorities reopened the case in 2015 after the Fayetteville police held a news conference to announce a grant from the Bureau of Justice, according to Lewis.

"That press conference prompted the victim in this case to initiate contact with us," Lewis said.

Several law enforcement agencies used DNA technology to identify Moore as a suspect, police said.

"The victim, she started out as a victim, but has become as survivor," Lewis said.

Anyone with information about a sexual assault case is asked to call Fayetteville police at 910-433-1851 or CrimeStoppers at 910-483-8477.

A reporter asked Lewis how many cold cases Fayetteville police has.

"There is not a definite answer because any case that has gone unsolved, [where] all leads have been exhausted, [is] cold," Lewis said. "So, there is not a set number as far as how many cold cases we still have because any case can pretty much be cold."