NEWS RELEASE
New Esoteric Blood Testing in Cold Case Results in Arrest of New York Man for Decade Old Sexual Battery Case
Date:Wednesday, August 19, 2026
BUNNELL, Fla. — A New York man is in custody for sexual battery after a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office investigation and additional DNA forensic testing shows the victim had been drugged during an assault in 2015.
On July 3, 2015, FCSO deputies responded to a local hospital to investigate a reported sexual battery. The victim reported having been drugged and sexually assaulted by, Kaivan Rahbar, 64, now of Mellville, N.Y. At the time, FCSO detectives conducted the initial investigation, which included a controlled phone call and a DNA search warrant. Rahbar’s DNA was submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which matched DNA collected during the sexual assault examination. At the time, testing to prove the victim had been drugged was inconclusive. However, the victim became unreachable and the case was placed inactive.
Kaivan Rahbar (Suffolk County Police Department Mugshot)
In July 2025, the victim contacted FCSO requesting her case file. Detectives re-activated the case and reviewed the original investigation with the State Attorney’s Office. Detectives then submitted the victim’s blood sample from 2015 for additional forensic testing at NMS Labs. In April 2026, NMS Labs confirmed the presence of Zolpidem (Ambien), a powerful sedative in the victim’s blood, confirming the victim’s account that she had been drugged.
On Monday, August 3, 2026, detective obtained an arrest warrant for Kaivan Rahbar. Though investigative means, detectives determined Rahbar had relocated to New York and was preparing to leave the country. Based on the circumstances, Rahbar was placed on a no-fly status.
On Monday morning, August 4, detectives with the Suffolk County Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Command arrested Rahbar on a Flagler County fugitive warrant for sexual battery.
“Eleven years ago, this predator drugged and sexually assaulted a woman who trusted him,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I’m sure he thought he got away with assaulting this woman. I am incredibly proud of our detectives for never giving up on this victim, and the State Attorney’s Office, NMS Labs, and the Suffolk County Police Department for their partnership in bringing Rahbar to face justice. Let this be a warning to other criminals, don’t ever think you got away. It’s only a matter of time, sometimes over a decade, but we will get you and you will be brought to justice.”
Rhabar waived extradition and was brought to Flagler County on August 19, 2026, and is being held on no bond.