On April 26, 2024, Auburn Police Department (APD) arrested Bobby Lee Pitts, age 75, from Auburn, Ala., on felony warrants charging him with kidnapping first degree, rape first degree and sodomy first degree. Pitts was arrested on these charges stemming from an incident that occurred over 20 years ago.
The investigation began on Oct. 4, 2003, when Auburn Police met with a juvenile victim that reported a sexual assault that occurred in the 1400 block of Lee Road 57. The victim reported the suspect forced her to a nearby wooded area and then subjected the victim to multiple acts of sexual violence. At the time of the crime, a suspect could not be developed based on the physical evidence and description of the suspect.
The case remained under investigation, with APD cold case investigators submitting evidence through the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Through this submission, Bobby Lee Pitts was developed as a suspect. In Jan. 2024, Auburn Police received results from forensic examination identifying Bobby Lee Pitts as the offender.
The case was subsequently presented to a Lee County Grand Jury and Pitts was indicted on the listed charges. Warrants for kidnapping first degree, rape first degree and sodomy first degree were issued, and Pitts was taken into custody by APD on April 26, 2024.
The defendant was transported to the Lee County Detention Center and is being held without bond.
“I hope this sends a powerful message: that no matter how much time has passed, we will never relent in our pursuit of justice. Every case matters deeply to us, and we will continue to pursue truth and accountability. Today, we stand firm in our promise. This arrest is more than just closure for the victim and their family – it’s a testament to the unwavering commitment of our police department," said Police Chief Cedric Anderson.
Republished courtesy of Auburn, Alabama