news-record.com

GREENSBORO - A 37-year-old man faces charges including second-degree rape concerning a burglary and sexual assault that occurred in 2002 during a series of similar cases reported in the UNCG area, police said today.

Anthony Jermaine Powell will be charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree rape and two counts of second-degree sexual offense, according to a Greensboro police press release.

Powell is currently in prison after he was convicted in November of a 2006 breaking and entering charge.

Police were able to connect Powell's DNA, which was gathered after he was sent to prison, with evidence collected from the series of sexual assaults, according to Greensboro Police Capt. Janice Rogers.

According to police, the victim reported someone entered her apartment at 1100-A Hicks Court at 2:35 a.m. on Sept. 26, 2002. He awakened her, then sexually assaulted her before leaving, police said.

The News & Record does not name alleged victims of sexual assault.

Police, with the help of the State Bureau of Investigation and UNCG police, began investigating that case and a series of other burglaries and sexual assaults that occurred in Greensboro in 2002 and 2003.

A large amount of forensic evidence was sent to the SBI lab for analysis. The SBI recently contacted Greensboro police regarding DNA evidence linking Powell to the sexual assault in 2002, police said.

Investigators are reviewing other cases to see if Powell is responsible for other sexual assaults reported in 2002 and 2003, police said.

That review will include further DNA testing and examination of other evidence.

Police ask people with information to call Crimestoppers at 373-1000.

Contact Sonja Elmquist at 373-7090 or selmquist@news-record.com