DNA has led to the arrest of a 75-year-old Auburn man in the sexual assault of a young girl more than 20 years ago.

Bobby Lee Pitts was taken into custody Friday, Auburn police announced. He is charged with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, and first-degree sodomy.

The investigation began Oct. 4, 2003, when Auburn police investigators met with the juvenile victim who told them she had been forced into a wooded area and sexually assaulted. The attack happened in the 1400 block of Lee Road 57.

Chief Cedric Anderson said that at the time, investigators could not develop a suspect based on the evidence and description they had.

Cold case investigators submitted evidence through the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, which is known as CODIS.

Through that testing, Pitts was developed as a suspect.

The case was presented to a Lee County grand jury, which returned the indictments against Pitts.

He is being held without bond in the Lee County Detention Center.

“I hope this sends a powerful message: that no matter how much time has passed, we will never relent in our pursuit of justice,’’ Anderson said. “Every case matters deeply to us, and we will continue to pursue truth and accountability.”

“Today, we stand firm in our promise,’’ the chief said. “This arrest is more than just closure for the victim and their family – it’s a testament to the unwavering commitment of our police department.”