DNA links Jeannette man to rape at New Year's Eve party

State police at Kiski said a Jeannette man's DNA linked him to a rape at a New Year's Eve party in Salem Township.

Michael A. Boatright, 36, was arraigned Thursday on charges of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault filed by Trooper James Daggett and was ordered held in the county prison after failing to post $100,000 bond.

Daggett reported in the affidavit of probable cause filed before Washington Township District Judge Jason Buczak that Boatright and the female victim were attending a party at a residence in the Forbes Road area where the assault occurred.

The victim told investigators that she fell asleep on a couch and awoke between 2 and 6 a.m. Jan. 1 as Boatright was assaulting her.

Later, the victim went to Excela Westmoreland hospital in Greensburg for treatment and reported the assault to state police.

In an interview with Daggett, Boatright denied assaulting the victim.

“Boatright related that he and (the victim) kissed only one time while they were in the basement during the party ... and that nothing else occurred between he and (the victim) during their time at the party,” Daggett wrote in the affidavit.

The victim also provided investigators with copies of a text message she received the next day from Boatright apologizing for an unspecified incident.

Troopers obtained a DNA sample from Boatright in August that was submitted to the state police forensic laboratory in Hempfield. Daggett reported in the affidavit that Boatright's DNA matched evidence collected from the victim at the hospital following the assault.

Boatright's preliminary hearing is scheduled Oct. 12 before Buczak.

Paul Peirce is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-2860, ppeirce@tribweb.com or via Twitter @ppeirce_trib.