Baltimore County Police Department Announces Arrest of Cold Case Serial Rape Suspect Identified Through Landmark GBMC Slide Project

ORIGINAL August 2, 2023

Detectives with the Baltimore County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit have arrested and charged 70-year-old James Shipe Sr. in the rape investigations of five Baltimore County women. A thorough review of past cases developed Shipe as a potential suspect, confirmed by forensic evidence collected under the GBMC Slide Project.

“While we know today’s arrest cannot erase the harm Shipe inflicted upon The Survivors, the Baltimore County Police Department has removed a dangerous threat from our communities,” Police Chief Robert McCullough said. “Our commitment to all The Survivors of sexual assault remains steadfast as the investigation into these crimes continues. We thank our many partners who have assisted in this ongoing effort.”

The crimes Shipe has been charged with committing occurred between 1978 and 1986. Shipe is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center without bond.

The Baltimore County Police Department is asking anyone with information about other sexual assaults involving suspect Shipe to contact the Baltimore County Police Department at 410-307-2020.

Survivors who would prefer to speak with a victim advocate, may contact the Department’s Victim Advocate by calling 443-345-7587 or emailing aharkins@turnaroundinc.org.

Sexual Assault Resources:

• GBMC provides resources and a listing of Sexual Assault Services that are available to victims.
•  Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault MCASA
• TurnAround, Inc.
• Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE)

Beginning in the 1970s, GBMC emergency room physician Dr. Breitenecker recognized the value of evidence from sexual assault survivors and preserved evidence on microscope slides. Dr. Breitenecker continued this collection practice into the early 1990s when the standardized SAFE exam emerged. These slides are maintained at GBMC and previous testing has proven viable for DNA testing which has led to the conviction of several offenders for decades-old crimes.

In 2018, the Baltimore County Police Department created the SVU Cold Case Squad, in part, to investigate the GBMC slides. Investigations into the remaining cases under the GBMC Slide Project continue to be conducted by the Baltimore County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit.