Mono County Felon, Gregory Rollison, Extradited to Florida After DNA Breakthrough in 39-Year-Old Sexual Assault & Battery Case

 

A California prison inmate has been extradited to Florida after investigators used advances in DNA testing to identify him in connection with a sexual assault that occurred 39 years ago.

Gregory Russell Rollison, 60, is accused of attacking an 85-year-old woman inside her Deerfield Beach apartment in July 1987. According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was asleep when a man entered her apartment, assaulted her and fled after taking money and other items.

The case remained unsolved for decades. Investigators had developed a possible suspect during the original investigation, but they did not have enough evidence at the time to make an arrest.

The investigation was eventually revisited by Broward Sheriff’s Detective Andrew Gianino, who had responded to the original crime scene in 1987. With improvements in forensic DNA technology, investigators were able to reexamine evidence collected from the case.

 

How we got there:

 

On November 17, 2023, authorities received a call regarding an alleged domestic abuse incident at Topaz Lodge, NV. According to witnesses, the incident reportedly began at the lodge’s bar and escalated outside into the parking lot. The individuals then got into a white Dodge truck and traveled south on U.S. Highway 395 towards California and Coleville.

Near the Nevada-California state line, the woman exited the vehicle. At the agricultural inspection station on U.S. Highway 395 authorities were contacted. Deputy Flores received the call and began a preliminary investigation, including a review of Rollison’s history. He discovered several prior charges involving robbery and domestic violence.

The Mono County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol responded to a residence on Larson Lane in Coleville, California. Authorities believed Rollison had left the scene and returned to his residence in Coleville.

Deputy Walston, stationed on Larson Lane, spotted a white Dodge pickup matching the description of Rollison’s vehicle. He attempted a felony stop by activating his emergency lights. The Dodge suddenly made a U-turn and drove directly toward Walston, narrowly missing him as it passed his driver’s side.

Sergeant Henderson pursued the vehicle, which he estimated reached about 115 mph. He eventually performed a PIT maneuver, bringing the Dodge to a stop. Henderson then arrested Rollison, who he described as combative, angry, and repeatedly cursing at him. Sergeant Henderson discovered in the truck a deadly weapon.

All of this was settled in May of 2025, with the most serious charge being an assault on a peace officer with special circumstances that carries a 5-year term. He was ultimately admitted to California State Prison in Lancaster on June 26, 2025 and prior to that he was held in Bridgeport, CA, the Mono County Jail.

According to Broward She investigators, a DNA profile developed from the evidence was ultimately matched to Rollison.

California authorities subsequently extradited him to Broward County to face charges related to the 1987 case.

 

The Broward Sheriff’s Office says Rollison is now facing charges stemming from the sexual assault and burglary. A judge found probable cause in the case and set bond at $50,000 on the sexual battery charge and $80,000 on the burglary charge. California authorities have also placed a hold on Rollison, meaning he cannot be released even if bond was posted, according to court information reported by WSVN.

The victim has since died.

The case is another example of investigators returning to older cases as forensic technology improves. Evidence that was not sufficient to identify or prosecute a suspect decades ago can sometimes be reexamined using modern DNA techniques.

Rollison’s charges are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Reporters: Jason Brown and Kathryn Greenman

 

Links below for original articles in “The Sheet” owned by Ted Carlton:

A Rollison Good Time, May 3, 2024, by Kendall Milender: https://thesheetnews.com/2024/05/03/a-rollison-good-time/

Rocky Road, March 20, 2025, by Jack Lunch: https://thesheetnews.com/2025/03/20/rocky-road/

Broward Sheriff’s Office Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=28420822484182074&extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing&mibextid=wwXIfr