According to the arrest warrant, “The defendant did use aggravated force while sexually battering the victim by restraining her physically and preventing her from moving about freely while verbally threatening to kill her.”
An investigation by both county and state authorities HCPD turned up other sexual assault cases that Barnhill’s DNA matched.
In one of those incidents, from 2005 Barnhill broke into the victim’s home while she slept. And he threatened her and sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to provide a good sketch of her assailant.
So far Barnhill is just charged with 4 rapes. Police say he is considered a suspect in more cold cases. The investigation remains open and additional charges are anticipated.
Horry County police are coordinating with neighboring counties that match the suspect’s description and MO. The DNA will be matched with the other agencies that have DNA in their cases.
“I’m certainly very proud of the work and persistence by Horry County police officers in this matter,” 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson told the press. “It may have appeared to the victims that this series of crimes would have remained unsolved; however, Horry County continues to use modern day advancements in technology to work for justice for crime victims.”
