Leilyn Torres

After nearly 25 years, HCSO crack sexual battery cold case Prev Next Photo by: WFTS Posted 1 minute ago A sexual battery case from nearly a quarter century ago is believed to have been solved by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office after an arrest on Monday. The case started in March 2000 when deputies were called about a woman who had been sexually assaulted after she accepted a ride from an unknown man near Browder Road and Henderson Road. At the time, detectives collected DNA and worked the case, eventually exhausting all leads and the case went cold. Twenty-two years later, the HCSO Special Victims Section reopened the investigation. Detectives used forensic genealogy to develop a family tree for the unknown criminal. Then, in August of this year, detectives identified Walter Leon Rutherford Jr., 59, as a possible suspect. Detectives said Rutherford Jr. had been living in Missouri since 2007 but had ties to Tampa in 2000. After getting a warrant for Rutherford, Jr.'s DNA, it was compared to the sample from March 2000. By October, analysts confirmed the DNA was a match. Rutherford, Jr. was arrested by HCSO detectives and now faces two counts of sexual battery. When will the water go away? Two weeks after Milton, many Pasco County residents are questioning if rapid development has played a role in unprecedented flooding. Community questions Pasco County's recovery and development's role in flooding Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign up for the Morning Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information. CURATION BY Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development Store and/or access information on a device Consent (119 vendors) Consent (70 vendors) Consent (96 vendors) Consent (92 vendors) Consent (28 vendors) Consent (24 vendors) Consent (76 vendors) Consent (32 vendors) Consent (57 vendors) Consent (67 vendors) Consent (12 vendors) Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent Consent

FLORIDA — Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) announced their plan to add a temporary surcharge to customer bills in 2025 to cover restoration costs following hurricanes in Florida.

Due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Pinellas County voters can vote on Nov. 4 and 5 at any of the three Supervisor of Elections offices.

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said a woman is dead after being accidentally shot by her boyfriend during an argument with a third party.

TAMPA BAY, Fla. — The Savannah Bananas , a quirky baseball team that plays its own unique version of "Banana Ball," announced that they will be coming to Raymond James Stadium in 2025.

The Florida Highway Patrol said they are searching for the driver and vehicle that hit and killed a man in Manatee County.

TAMPA, Fla. — Many public transportation services in the Tampa Bay area are offering free transportation on Election Day to help increase voter turnout. Below is a list of which counties are offering free services.

Election Day is on November 5, and ABC Action News has everything you need to know to help you vote in the 2024 General Election.

St. Petersburg Police said they are investigating a crash involving a school bus and an SUV in St. Pete.

TAMPA, Fla. — Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF will play a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium in February 2025.