Man pleads no contest in second rape case

ALFRED – A Waterboro man described by authorities as a serial rapist pleaded no contest Friday to the rape of a South Portland woman.

Michael Chase, 25, was charged with two counts of gross sexual assault and one count of burglary.

He is accused of breaking into the home of a 50-year-old South Portland woman late one night in February 2000 before raping her.

A jury last week found Chase guilty in the March 2000 rape of a 75-year-old Portland woman. He faces up to 40 years in prison for the conviction. The judge in that case ordered Chase to undergo a psychological evaluation.

Chase also is charged with burglary and gross sexual misconduct in the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in March 2000 in Waterboro and with gross sexual misconduct using intoxicants in the June 1999 rape of an 18-year-old woman in Old Orchard Beach. Chase is also the prime suspect in a rape in the Boston area, but has not been charged in that case.