Serial rapist Richard Dorsey was sentenced Friday afternoon to 79 years in prison for a series of rapes from 2001 through 2004. Judge Michael Spann called Dorsey a 'serial rapist,' before handing down the sentence.
"I don't think your rehabilitation is likely at all," Spaan said.
He is already in prison serving a 2010 sentence for groping a woman in a grocery store in 2006.
In 2009, an Anchorage police detective retrieved a discarded Styrofoam cup Dorsey had drank from in court during his first sexual assault case that had DNA on it that linked him to the cold cases.
Last October, Dorsey was found guilty on all 12 counts of the cold-case sexual assaults, which include four counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of first-degree attempted sexual assault and six other second and third-degree assault charges.
An investigation found that Dorsey picked up his victims in his pickup truck and raped them at knife-point between 2001 and 2004.
Two women gave victim impact statements Friday, telling the judge how being raped had changed their lives.
“I am learning to let go of my past anger, resents, and unforgiveness towards myself,” said Stephanie Rushing, a victim who asked Channel 2 News to use her name and video of her. “It’s time for me to let go of Richard Dorsey and his power over me, I am taking back that power.”
Rushing said she hopes that if there are other people who have been raped that her actions will give them strength to come forward also.
She said she forgives Dorsey, but hoped he would get the max.
"Justice was served and I'm grateful to the judge and to justice," Rushing said.
Dorsey was sentenced to 79 years with no probation and must serve two thirds before is eligible to be released for parole.
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