MELVILLE, NY – August 25, 2026
A 64-year-old Melville man has been arrested in connection with an 11-year-old sexual battery investigation in Florida after new forensic testing detected a sedative in a blood sample collected from the alleged victim in 2015, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Suffolk County Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Command arrested Kaivan Rahbar on August 4 on a Flagler County fugitive warrant for sexual battery.
According to FCSO, the investigation began on July 3, 2015, when deputies responded to a Florida hospital following a reported sexual battery. The woman told investigators she had been drugged and sexually assaulted by Rahbar.
Detectives obtained Rahbar’s DNA during the original investigation. FCSO says testing by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement matched his DNA to DNA collected during the sexual assault examination. However, testing at the time was inconclusive as to whether the woman had been drugged. The woman later became unreachable and the case was placed on inactive status.
New Testing Reopens the Investigation
In July 2025, the woman contacted the Sheriff’s Office requesting her case file, prompting detectives to reactivate the investigation and review it with the State Attorney’s Office.
Investigators submitted the blood sample collected in 2015 to NMS Labs for additional forensic testing. According to FCSO, testing completed in April 2026 detected zolpidem, commonly known as Ambien, in the sample.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Rahbar on August 3. FCSO says investigators determined he had relocated to New York and was preparing to leave the country, and he was subsequently placed on no-fly status.
The following morning, Suffolk County Police Department detectives arrested Rahbar on the Florida fugitive warrant.
Rahbar waived extradition and was returned to Flagler County on August 19. According to the Sheriff’s Office, he is being held without bond.
Information for this article was provided by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Additional Victims or Information
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim, or who has information that could assist law enforcement, can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS or the Suffolk County Police Special Victims Section directly at 631-852-6531.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted online through P3TIPS.com.
Support for Survivors
ECLI-VIBES provides free, confidential services for survivors of sexual assault and abuse, including crisis support, counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, assistance accessing sexual assault forensic exams and medical care, and connections to emergency shelter, housing and other basic needs.
Survivors can call or text the ECLI-VIBES 24-Hour Hopeline at 631-360-3606 to speak with an advocate, understand their options and connect with available services.
