Police Say Convicted Rapist May Be Linked To Other Sexual Assaults In West Durham

A judge found Lawrence Hawes guilty on five charges Wednesday -- all related to an attack that happened inside the victim's home on Englewood Avenue last March.

Hawes was sentenced to at least 96 years behind bars, essentially a life sentence.

Investigators said Hawes may be responsible for up to to seven more cases, including a rape in September.

"Some of the cases are a little more stronger than others. We're going to go back and review those cases and some of those cases may end up being closed," said Cpl. R.C. Spivey of the Durham Police Department.

Although he chose not to take the stand in court, Hawes gave police a written statement saying he did not recall raping a woman.