Christopher Gibbs Jr., 52, of Salisbury, was convicted March 23 of second-degree rape in a crime that occurred in July 1999 in an Isabella Street neighborhood.

According to court documents, as the victim was coming home from work on July 22, 1999, Gibbs forced her into her apartment at knife point. Gibbs ordered her to the bedroom and committed a sexual assault.

Before Gibbs left the apartment, he cut the phone cord from the wall and stole the victim’s purse and keys.

The victim was taken to PRMC for treatment and DNA evidence from the case was sent to the Maryland State Police Crime Lab. Salisbury Police could not identify a suspect at that time, however, the victim’s attacker’s DNA was uploaded onto the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System.

In 2014, the FBI notified police that the DNA standard of Christopher Gibbs Jr., matched the DNA collected during the investigation on July 22, 1999.

A Pre-Sentence Investigation has been ordered by the Court and sentencing will occur on a later date. Gibbs, according to prosecutors, has a significant criminal history that includes burglary, theft, and drug offenses.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matthew A. Maciarello commended the Salisbury City Police, and investigating officer, Detective Matthew Thompsen, for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case.