LAKE CHARLES, LA — A decades-old sexual assault case has finally reached resolution as modern forensic technology helped bring a perpetrator to justice.

Dartanyan K. Breaux, 59, of Lake Charles, was found guilty of aggravated rape on April 10 for a crime committed nearly 35 years ago. According to court records, Breaux broke into a woman's home through her bedroom window in 1988, where he severely beat and sexually assaulted her.

The case remained unsolved until 2023 when evidence collected from the original rape kit underwent retesting using advanced DNA analysis techniques. The updated testing positively identified seminal fluid belonging to Breaux, providing the crucial evidence needed for conviction.

District Attorney Stephen Dwight emphasized the importance of the technological breakthrough in securing justice.

"Thanks to advancements in DNA technology, justice has finally been served in a case that has haunted a survivor for more than three decades," Dwight said. "The successful prosecution of this cold case reinforces our unwavering commitment to seeking justice, no matter how much time has passed."

The investigation represented a collaborative effort between the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office and the Southwest Louisiana Crime Lab, both acknowledged by the district attorney's office for their contributions to resolving the case.

Breaux now faces sentencing on May 2 before Judge David Ritchie. Under Louisiana law, his conviction carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Deputy Chief of Litigation Taylor Alexander and Assistant District Attorney Kadence Huber prosecuted the case for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office.

The case highlights the growing importance of cold case investigations and the value of preserving physical evidence, which can become newly relevant as forensic technologies evolve.