PHOENIX — A man was arrested in connection with the 2001 sexual assault of a teenage girl in west Phoenix, authorities said.
The Phoenix Police Department identified the man who was taken into custody as 52-year-old Lelynn Begay.
According to Phoenix police, Begay was charged on Wednesday. He faces charges of sexual assault and kidnapping with the intent to commit a sexual offense.
Why was Begay arrested in connection with the 2001 sexual assault?
On May 22, 2001, Phoenix police officers responded to the area of 67th Avenue and Indian School Road around 9:35 a.m. for a report of a teenage girl who was sexually assaulted behind a business.
Police said during the investigation into the incident, physical evidence was obtained.
In February 2025, Begay was reportedly arrested for an unrelated crime and a DNA sample was collected and entered into the state’s database.
Cold case detectives began to follow up on the 2001 sexual assault and in June, the laboratory services bureau reported a match from the assault to Begay’s DNA profile, according to Phoenix police.
At the time, Begay was reportedly on probation in a different county. Detectives allegedly coordinated with the county’s probation officers to set up a meeting with Begay.
Police said that Begay was arrested during the meeting and was since given a $150,000 cash bond with electronic monitoring if released.
“This case highlights effective use of forensic technology,” Phoenix Police Department Sgt. Jen Zak said in a press release. “The Phoenix Police Department and the Phoenix Crime Lab continue to demonstrate the value of persistence, innovation and collaboration, to bring justice to survivors and their families.”
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