JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A convicted rapist who has been serving a prison sentence is now being charged in an additional sexual assault following the results of a rape kit test.
Brian Simpkins, 45, of Jacksonville, is serving a 30-year sentence after he was convicted in two rapes. He was originally charged in a total of three sexual assaults, all of which, investigators say, were random attacks. The attacks were reported in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Court records show Simpkins pleaded guilty to charges in two of the rapes, and the third charge was dropped.
Now, an arrest warrant shows Simpkins is being charged in rape that was reported in 2004. The warrant said the new charge was the result of a rape kit being processed, which showed Simpkins’ DNA was found.
A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told News4Jax she was the victim in the rape that was reported in 2007 near Hogan Road.
“I was walking home from the grocery store, and it was dark, and I was grabbed and dragged into a spot in the woods,” she recalled.
The woman said she was threatened with a knife. She said she noticed the man left behind a hat.
“They told me they got the DNA off of his hat that I picked up and put in a bag,” she said. "I hope that he finds forgiveness with God and all of us women and that he learns something.”
According to the arrest warrant, Simpkins denied any involvement with the assault reported in 2004 during an interview with police.