MERCED – A man was charged in a 2017 rape case after DNA samples returned with a match, according to authorities.

Police said 30-year-old Michael Allen Henson-Grajeda was charged in the 2017 rape of a woman who was experiencing car trouble in Merced. Detectives met with Henson-Grajeda who was in custody at the Merced County Jail on Wednesday. According to a press release issued by Merced Police Henson-Grajeda was on probation for auto theft when the sexual assault occurred.

The original incident happened on June 14th 2017 near the 1000 block of West 16th Street in Merced. Authorities said the victim experienced car trouble and pulled over to the side of the road. An unknown man approached as she stood outside and offered help, but she declined. The man then forced her into her vehicle and punched her in her face. She was sexually assaulted and then forced out of the vehicle by the suspect, who drove off in her car.

Police were provided a description of the suspect, but no one was identified in the case at the time. During an exam of the victim, an unknown male DNA profile was found. The DNA profile was uploaded to a database, but there was no match.

On June 28th, 2021, authorities were led to Henson-Grajeda as a possible DNA match. He had been sentenced for auto theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The conviction allowed authorities to collect his DNA for submission to a database. In October, detectives questioned Henson-Grajeda about the assault and collected his DNA sample. Henson-Grajeda denied the allegations.

A comparison of DNA samples was conducted resulting in a positive match.

Henson-Grajeda was charged with rape by means of force or fear, sodomy by means of force or fear, false imprisonment, carjacking, and oral copulation by means of force or fear.