- California man sentenced to 140 years for brutal rapes of a child and jogger two decades ago
- Kevin Konther convicted of multiple felony charges, including forcible rape and a lewd act with a minor
- Konther attempted to accuse his twin brother of committing the crimes, but DNA testing proved his guilt
Additional Coverage:
A man in California has been sentenced to 140 years in prison for the brutal rapes of a 9-year-old girl and a 32-year-old jogger over two decades ago. Kevin Konther, 58, was convicted of multiple felony charges, including two counts of forcible rape and one count of a lewd act with a minor. Prosecutors revealed that Konther had attempted to accuse his identical twin brother of committing the crimes and molesting his ex-girlfriend’s daughter.
The sentencing took place in Orange County Superior Court, where the judge imposed the maximum penalty. The Orange County District Attorney stated that the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement ensured that Konther, who preys on young girls and women, will never be able to harm anyone again.
Konther and his twin brother were arrested in 2019 after a breakthrough in DNA testing linked them both to the crimes. Although they were initially taken into custody together, detectives quickly determined that Konther was the suspect. He was charged with rape, oral copulation with a minor, lewd acts with a minor, and aggravated sexual assault.
The crimes occurred almost three decades ago, with no substantial progress in the cases until advancements in genetic genealogy allowed investigators to move forward in 2019. The first assault took place in 1995 when Konther raped a 9-year-old girl in Lake Forest. The second occurred in 1998 when he attacked a 32-year-old jogger in Mission Viejo.
During the investigative genetic genealogy phase in 2018, detectives uncovered allegations that Konther had also molested his ex-girlfriend’s daughter. Covertly recorded conversations between Konther and his twin brother confirmed Konther as the suspect, as he made incriminating statements while his brother was shocked by the arrest.