CHARLOTTE, NC–CMPD’s Cold Case Unit has charged Johnny Ealey, 65, in connection with two cases which occurred in 1981.
In the summer months of 1981, several burglaries occurred in the area of Beatties Ford Road where victims were awakened and sexually assaulted by a suspect armed with a knife.
On May 6th, 1981, a victim was reportedly awakened by a suspect who had forced entry into her residence. The suspect, who was armed with a knife, sexually assaulted the victim. After the assault, the suspect cut the phone line and fled from the scene. Officers responded and began an investigation. The victim was ultimately treated at the hospital and evidence was collected.
On June 26th, 1981, another victim was asleep in her residence when she was awakened by a suspect in possession of a knife. The suspect sexually assaulted the victim while using the knife as a threat of force. After the assault, the suspect fled and officers responded to begin the investigation. The victim was treated at the hospital and evidence was collected.
The evidence collected in these cases were originally analyzed in 1981, but underwent additional testing in both 2014 and 2016.
As a result of this testing, Johnny Ealey, was identified as a suspect.
With assistance from the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office, Sexual Assault Cold Case Unit detectives successfully charged Ealey, who was indicted for first degree rape, second degree rape, and two counts of burglary.
Ealey was arrested by his parole officer in Georgia on March 19th and will be extradited to North Carolina.
