Sexual assault may be solved with DNA

Monday, April 3, 2000 | 8:58 a.m.

Thomas Soria Sr., 39, was charged last week with murder, kidnapping and sexual assault in the death of Krystal Steadman, 9. His son, Thomas Soria Jr., 19, faces similar charges in the case.

Both father and son are scheduled to appear Wednesday at Tahoe Justice Court.

Genetic material found during an autopsy of the victim matched that of the father, according to court records.

Her nude body was found along U.S. Highway 50, a day after her March 19 disappearance outside a Stateline apartment complex.

Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini said neither suspect is talking with investigators.

"What role each of them played is still under investigation," he said. "It is safe to say that Soria Sr. was an active participant."

Pierini said investigators are working with the Sacramento County, Calif., sheriff's department. The Sorias moved to Stateline from the Sacramento area in 1999.

"We feel that there could be other victims," he said. "We have had a good dialogue with the authorities in California."

The father and son are facing separate charges in the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl at Stateline.