February 1, 2008

On January 31, 2008, Donald Pruitt pleaded guilty to five counts of Second Degree Rape and five counts of First Degree Burglary for offenses he committed against women from 1989 to 1991. He was sentenced to a total of fifty years in prison. The cooperative efforts of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Mecklenburg County District Attorneys Office culminated in the guilty pleas.

A lengthy and complete investigation by the CMPD Sexual Assault Cold Case Unit and the CMPD Crime Lab identified Donald Pruitt as the offender in the five cases. The investigation has been ongoing since being re-opened in January of 2006. None of the victims in these cases knew the suspect that broke in and assaulted them.

A synopsis of each case is listed below.

11/28/1989 Druid Circle
A 47 year old woman was asleep in her residence. Donald Pruitt cut a screen door and forced open the back door of the residence. He then threatened the victim with a knife and raped her.

07/20/1991 Polk Street
A 31 year old woman was asleep in her residence when Donald Pruitt entered through a secured window. Once inside, Pruitt threatened the victim with a knife and raped her.

10/12/1991 Polk Street
A 16 year old girl was asleep in her bedroom when Donald Pruitt forced entry into her locked residence. He threatened and raped the young woman before fleeing the residence.

11/23/1991 Rodey Avenue
A 27 year old woman was asleep when Donald Pruitt entered her residence through a secured window. He then threatened and raped the victim before fleeing the residence.

11/25/1991 Druid Circle
A 60 year old woman was asleep when Pruitt entered her residence through a secured window. Donald Pruitt then threatened and raped the victim before fleeing the residence.