The NOPD has arrested David J. Releford (pictured, male, DOB: 09-17-1962), who had been arrested in January 2021 for a previous simple rape incident, in the investigation of two additional cold case rape incidents dating back as far as 2006.
While investigating a simple rape reported in December 2019, NOPD Sex Crimes detectives developed, positively identified and arrested Releford as the suspected perpetrator. During the follow-up investigation, a DNA saliva sample collected from Releford liked him to two additional cold case rape investigations, a simple rape reported in December 2006 and an aggravated rape reported in June 2008.
Releford was re-arrested on February 25, 2021 in connection with the 2006 and 2008 incidents.
Anyone with additional information regarding Releford or these incidents is asked to contact NOPD Sex Crimes Unit at 504-658-5522.