Search for Victims
Georgia investigators are actively seeking potential victims of Julius Hunter, a convicted sex offender from Florida. Hunter’s DNA has been linked to three sexual assault cases involving women who were reportedly enticed through Craigslist job ads.
Charges in Georgia
Hunter, 42, is facing charges including rape, aggravated sodomy, and kidnapping. These charges stem from a 2016 incident involving a 19-year-old woman at an apartment complex in Clarkston, Georgia. A DeKalb County grand jury indicted Hunter on August 11.
Background and Arrest
Prior to his Georgia charges, Hunter pleaded no contest to an unrelated 2021 sexual battery case in Florida. This case involved his former girlfriend. Investigators are now examining a possible pattern of sexual assaults connected to Hunter.
Julius Hunter’s history and potential connections to other assault cases raise concerns about previous undiscovered crimes, particularly in areas he has lived, like New Jersey. This statement comes from Brandi Rogers, a DeKalb County District Attorney Investigator.
DNA Matches
Hunter’s DNA matched evidence from two additional sexual assault cases in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties from 2016 and 2017. While no charges have been filed in these cases, investigators continue to pursue leads.
The 2016 Incident
The initial case involved a 19-year-old who believed she was attending a $300 babysitting job. Hunter arranged for her transportation to an apartment where she found no children, only Hunter and an unidentified man. Unable to leave, she was sexually assaulted over several hours.
The woman escaped the next day, contacted the authorities, and underwent a sexual assault examination.
Advancements in DNA Technology
This case lingered unsolved until DNA technology intervened. Initially, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation could not match the male DNA profile to anyone in their database. Following Hunter’s conviction in Florida, his DNA profile matched samples from the Clarkston case and others.
Arrest and Extradition
Authorities arrested Hunter in Fort Lauderdale on August 13, two days after his indictment. He was extradited to Georgia and entered into detention on August 20.
Patterns of Crime
Commonalities across the cases emerged, relating to the use of Craigslist ads for jobs such as babysitting and modeling. These patterns suggest there might be more victims.
Seeking More Information
Authorities urge anyone who might have been victimized by Hunter to contact law enforcement. The Georgia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Task Force is involved in the investigation, which remains ongoing.
Brandi Rogers encourages victims to reach out for support, noting that coming forward does not commit them to pursue prosecution.
To provide information, individuals can call the tip line at 404-371-2444.