'Silver Spring Rapist' Convicted on DNA Evidence for 1973 Rape Sentenced

New York (AP) - The man suspected of being the so-called Silver Spring rapist has been sentenced in New York to up to 46 years in prison for a June 1973 rape in Manhattan.

58-year-old Fletcher Anderson Worrell was sentenced Monday. He was convicted earlier this month after DNA evidence linked him to the attack on Kathleen Ham. The victim is now a California lawyer and allowed her name to be made public to show she is not ashamed.

Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau says Worrell is wanted in connection with 21 sex attacks in Maryland and at least two in New Jersey through 1993.

He said he obtained orders for DNA samples to be taken from Worrell so those states can do their own matches and prepare their cases.