DNA Breakthrough Solves 29-Year-Old Texas Sexual Assault Cold Case

Advanced Technology Cracks Nearly Three-Decade Mystery

Nearly three decades after a terrifying attack at a Texas shopping mall, advanced DNA technology has finally brought justice to a cold case that haunted investigators for years. James Lee Woodard, a 61-year-old man from Big Spring, was arrested in connection with an indictment for aggravated sexual assault dating back to September 1, 1997.

The breakthrough came after Midland police reopened the investigation in February 2023, reviewing evidence and searching for new leads . What had once seemed like an unsolvable case suddenly gained new life when investigators partnered with cutting-edge forensic technology. Advanced DNA testing and analysis helped generate a new lead , ultimately leading to the identification and arrest of a suspect who had evaded justice for nearly 30 years.

Woodard was booked into the Howard County Jail, where his bond was set at $250,000 . The arrest represents a significant victory for both law enforcement and the victim who has waited decades for answers.

The Original Crime That Shocked Midland

The assault occurred on a September evening in 1997 at Midland Park Mall, when a 49-year-old woman told officers she was taking out the trash when she was grabbed, threatened with a box cutter, and forced into a light-colored van . The victim was sexually assaulted inside the vehicle while another suspect drove around the parking lot , indicating this was a coordinated attack involving multiple perpetrators.

During the assault, the victim's watch, keys, diamond necklace, and money were taken . She was later released in another area of the parking lot and made her way back into the mall, where she contacted security, who then called the police . The victim's courage in immediately reporting the crime and undergoing a medical examination provided crucial evidence that would prove instrumental decades later.

A sexual assault examination was conducted at Midland Memorial Hospital, and evidence was collected, including a DNA profile from an unidentified suspect . This DNA evidence would become the key to solving the case, though it would take nearly three decades and revolutionary advances in genetic technology.

Decades of Persistent Investigation

The case didn't go cold due to lack of effort. Investigators said the case remained active for years, with detectives searching for suspect vehicles, checking pawn shops, and interviewing potential witnesses . The case was also featured in a Crime Stoppers reenactment broadcast on local television , demonstrating law enforcement's commitment to finding answers.

In 1999, the DNA profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System, but no match was found at the time . Even without a suspect, prosecutors moved forward with what they had. In July 2001, the Midland County District Attorney's Office presented the case to a grand jury, which issued an indictment tied to the unknown DNA profile, despite investigators not knowing the suspect's identity .

The case remained dormant until investigators requested help from the Texas Rangers' Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program . The program helped coordinate advanced DNA testing, including forensic genetic genealogy , a revolutionary technique that has transformed cold case investigations across the country.

Justice Finally Served Through Modern Science

The technological breakthrough came when a covertly obtained DNA sample later confirmed a match to evidence collected in 1997 . This development led to swift legal action. On April 1, 2026, the Midland County District Attorney's Office presented the case again to a grand jury, which returned a new indictment naming Woodard .

The next day, April 2, Woodard was arrested by Midland police with assistance from the Texas Rangers, the Texas Rangers Special Operations Group 4 and the Big Spring Police Department . The coordinated arrest effort demonstrates the serious commitment multiple agencies have to solving cold cases and bringing closure to victims.

However, the investigation isn't over. Midland police said the investigation remains ongoing and are asking anyone with information, including possible accomplice details, to come forward . This ongoing appeal suggests that authorities believe there may be additional suspects or witnesses who could provide crucial information about this decades-old crime. For families and victims of unsolved crimes, this case offers hope that advances in DNA technology continue to open doors that once seemed permanently closed.