Jury finds drifter guilty of 2004 rape in Portland

PORTLAND – A 44-year-old drifter from Florida was found guilty Thursday of gross sexual assault, kidnapping and other charges for a brutal attack on a 21-year-old woman in Portland more than two years ago.

A Cumberland County Superior Court jury deliberated for 31/2 hours before finding Brandon Drewry guilty of all six counts he was charged with in the August 2004 attack.

During the seven-day trial, the victim testified she was out for a late-night walk when she met Drewry, who asked if she wanted to smoke marijuana with him. She testified that when they went to a wooded area near the Portland post office, he choked, beat and repeatedly assaulted her over a period of hours.

Prosecutors said that Drewry had been in Maine for only three days at the time of the attack.

When the verdict was read in court, an angry Drewry stood up and began yelling at jurors, the judge and lawyers before being restrained.