ATLANTIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE MOVES TO DETAIN MAN IN CONNECTION WITH THE SEXUAL ASSAULT
" Brian Lee Avis Has Been Charged In Connection With The 1996 Brigantine Home Invasion Where He Allegedly Sexually Assaulted A 10-Year-Old Girl."
September 20, 2021 By John Elberger Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
MAYS LANDING, NJ.- On Monday, September 20, 2021 Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Cary Shill announced that The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office will move before The Superior Court to have an Egg Harbor City man, who was Arrested and Charged last week with the Sexual Assault of a 10-Year-Old Girl inside her Brigantine, New Jersey home Twenty Five Years Ago.
The New Jersey State Police and The Brigantine Police Department Charged Brian Lee Avis, 59, of Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, for The Sexual Assault of a 10-Year-Old Girl during a 1996 Home Invasion, after Detectives used DNA Evidence to solve the Twenty Five Year Old Cold Case.
On July 19, 2021, Members of The Brigantine Police Department responded on a report of a Sexual Assault at a residence on East Evans Boulevard in Brigantine City, New Jersey. A male suspect allegedly broke into the residence in the middle of the night and Sexually Assaulted a 10-Year-Old Girl while she was sleeping. When the girl woke up, the suspect fled the scene.
At that time, Detectives collected evidence at the scene and obtained a DNA Sample of the suspect from the victim's bed. The suspect's DNA Profile had been generated in 2002 and was uploaded into the Combined DNA Index System, (CODIS), which is a National DNA Collection Database, however in 2002 there were no CODIS matches for the profile.
In January of 2021 Detectives from The New Jersey State Police Cold Case Unit and The Brigantine Police Department reopened the case in a cooperative investigation. Detectives began working with The New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences, (OFS) and a private company specializing in investigative Genetic Genealogy, (IGG). The evidence was re-submitted to the OFS and a more robust DNA Sample for the suspect was obtained.
On July 26, 2021, Detectives submitted the DNA Sample to a private laboratory for analysis. The Laboratory conducted Microarray Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, (SNP) testing for IGG analysis in attempt to identify Genetic Relatives of the suspect based on the DNA Sample obtained at the scene. Through various investigative means, Detectives were able to identify Brian Lee Avis as the suspect.
On September 12, 2021, Detectives were able to locate Mr. Avis and escorted him to The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, where they executed a search warrant for his DNA. Detectives obtained the sample by using a Buccal Swab, which collects DNA from cells inside a person's cheek. The Sample was submitted for forensic analysis, which revealed a positive match to the DNA obtained at the scene.
On Monday, September 13, 2021, Detectives Arrested Mr. Avis and Charged him with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under The Age of Thirteen; Burglary; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Mr. Avis is currently lodged at The Atlantic County Justice Facility.
" The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER SEPTEMBER 20, 2021: LAW, ATLANTIC: