UPDATE: Salisbury cold case rape culprit sentenced

A man whose DNA linked him to the 1999 rape of a Salisbury woman, has been sentenced.

Back in March, 52-year-old Christopher Gibbs was convicted of rape 2nd degree, robbery, and burglary 1st degree for a July 22, 1999 incident that happened at an apartment on Isabella Street in Salisbury.

A woman was walking home from work, when Gibbs forced her into her apartment at knifepoint. He then took her into the bedroom, where he sexually assaulted her. Before leaving, Gibbs cut the phone line, and stole the victim’s purse and keys.

During the investigation into the incident, DNA evidence was gathered, and sent to Maryland State Police Crime Lab. A suspect was not immediately identified, but then in 2014, the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System sent a match, Gibbs.

On Friday, Gibbs was sentenced to to the maximum penalty for rape 2nd, 20 years, along with 10 years for the robbery charge and 10 years for the burglary 1st degree charged. In total, Gibbs will spend the next 40 years in active incarceration with the Division of Corrections.