Man pleads guilty to 2016 Alexandria rape solved using DNA database

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (FOX 5 DC) - A man pleaded guilty to a September 2016 rape that was solved using a DNA genealogical database. 

Police say Jesse Bjerke followed a lifeguard to an Alexandria pool in the 200 block of South Pickett Street where she worked, pointed a gun at her head and sexually assaulted her during Labor Day weekend three years ago.

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Bjerke confessed in court on Thursday morning. 

Police say investigators retrieved DNA evidence from the victim after she was raped. The DNA gathered initially did not match any DNA in the law enforcement database. That’s when investigators submitted the DNA to public family genealogical databases. The DNA matched with Bjerke’s brother, which led to police to him.

After being arrested, testing reportedly revealed Bjerke’s DNA matched the DNA found on the victim.

This is the first time in history the Alexandria Police Department has submitted DNA to a public genealogical database. The possibility of error is reportedly 1 in 7.2 billion.

The victim is now out of the country but we’re told she saw Thursday’s court proceedings via video conference.

Bjerke could face life in prison at his sentencing.