DNA match leads to arrest in 2009 Chesco rape

More than two years ago, a 14-year-old girl was raped in Chester County, a case that went unsolved until a recent DNA match, authorities said Wednesday.

Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan and the Pennsylvania State Police filed rape, kidnapping, and related charges against Maynard G. Church, 38, formerly of Oxford.

Hogan said the assault occurred Sept. 27, 2009, in East Nottingham Township, where the girl lived. He said the teen was walking along Little Elk Creek Road when a stranger approached her and tried to engage her in conversation. He then grabbed her, forced her to the ground, and assaulted her.

The victim gave state police from the Avondale barracks a physical description, but police were unable to locate the suspect, Hogan said, adding that investigators did get a DNA sample from the attack. On May 22, 2010, Church was arrested for an unrelated case and convicted on Sept. 28, 2010, Hogan said.

Under state law, Church was required to submit a DNA sample to the state DNA database, which was determined to be a match in the 2009 case, Hogan said.

Court records show that Church is serving a two- to four-year prison term after pleading guilty to aggravated assault in 2010. Records also list prior convictions for drunken driving and fleeing from police.

A preliminary hearing date has not been set, according to court records.