19-Year-Old Cold Case Solved by DNA Match

Los Angeles: A nearly two decade’s old rape and murder case has been solved with a recent DNA match.

On February 26, 1990, 82 year old Alma Harvey was found strangled and raped in her house located in the 800 block of East 32nd Street in Los Angeles.  Ms. Harvey was in declining health and confined to her home when the attack occurred.  During the initial crime scene investigation, Newton Homicide detectives discovered physical evidence left behind by the unknown suspect.  This physical evidence revealed a DNA profile that was eventually entered into the Department of Justice “CODIS” system.  

On January 5, 2009, a DNA, "Cold Hit" notification was made on Isidro Ponce, 48 years of age, who had recently been arrested on an unrelated matter.  During Ponce’s arrest and detention a DNA sample was obtained and entered into the CODIS system where a match was made to the 1990 unsolved murder of Alma Harvey.

On January 6, 2009, detectives from Newton Homicide arrested Ponce at a residence in the Southeast Area of Los Angeles.  He was booked and charged for the murder of Alma Harvey.  Ponce is currently being held without bail, awaiting trial.