Suspect Arrested on Multiple Sexual Abuse and Burglary Charges

March 27, 2019 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
      
CONTACTS:
Lt. Joe Messerich 563-589-4473
Corporal Chris Gorrell, (563) 587-3806
Asst. Chief Jeremy Jensen, (563) 589-4410


On 08/06/2011 at approximately 0413 hours, the Dubuque Police Department responded to 1938 Washington St. for a sexual assault that had just occurred.  Upon arrival police met with a 57-year-old female who reported being sexually assaulted by an unknown male.  Officers determined the suspect forced entry into the residence via a window.  Evidence collected during the investigation was submitted to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) laboratory for processing.  Upon examination of the sexual assault kit, an unknown male DNA was developed and entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) data base.

On 08/22/2011 at approximately 0446 hours, police responded to 1636 Jackson St. for a report of a sexual assault.  Police met with a 54-year-old female victim who reported being sexually abused by an unknown male.  The investigation revealed an unknown male suspect knocked on the front door then force his way inside and sexually assaulted the victim.  Evidence collected during this investigation was submitted to the Iowa DCI for processing.  An unknown male DNA profile was developed and entered into the CODIS data base.  

On 11/08/2011 at approximately 0400 hours, police responded to 211 E. 22nd St. for a sexual assault.  Police met with a 20-year-old female victim who reported being sexually assaulted by an unknown male.  The investigation revealed an unknown male knocked on her door.  When she went to the door, he forced his way inside the residence and sexually assaulted the victim.  Evidence collected during the investigation was submitted to the Iowa DCI laboratory for processing.  An unknown male DNA profile was developed and entered into the CODIS data base.  

On 03/09/2012, The Iowa DCI laboratory submitted a report indicating that all three DNA profiles developed were a match to the same suspect, but the suspects identity was not known.  

On 05/25/2014 at approximately 0420 hours, police responded to 1603 Jackson for a sexual assault.  Police met with a 54-year-old female who reported being sexually assaulted.  The investigation revealed an unknown male approached the victim outside and pushed her into the garage where he sexually assaulted her.  Evidence collected during this investigation was also sent to the Iowa DCI lab for processing. An unknown male DNA profile was developed and entered into the CODIS data base.  This male profile was determined to be a match to the previous assaults.  

On 05/17/2018, the DCI laboratory submitted a report indicating a possible match with the DNA donor to the above-mentioned cases.  This report indicated a search of the national data base was done on 04/17/2018.  The identifying information provided indicated the DNA donor in all cases was Martel Elliott Fountain DOB 11/16/1989.   Fountain had been taken into Federal custody, on an unrelated charge, in March 2018.   Upon being taken into custody, he was required to submit a DNA sample.

On 08/28/2018, a search warrant was served on Martel Elliott Fountain and Fountain’s DNA was collected.  The DNA was then submitted to the DCI laboratory for DNA processing.  On 10/31/2018, the DCI laboratory issued a report advising the DNA profiles developed in all four cases were consistent with the DNA profile of Martel Elliott Fountain.  

Fountain has been arrested on four counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, ‘Class B’ felonies and four counts of First Degree Burglary, ‘Class B’ felonies.  

Each Class B Felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 25 years.     

If you have any information on this incident or others, please call the Dubuque Police Department at 563-589-4415. You can also submit tips anonymously online at www.cityofdubuque.org/police or through the MyDBQ smartphone app available at www.cityofdubuque.org/MyDBQ.  As with any criminal case, the charges filed are allegations and any suspects are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.

# # #

Please do not reply to this email.  For additional information, contact the Dubuque Police Department at 563.589.4415. In an emergency, always call 9-1-1.