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'Stinky rapist' guilty in August 2007 attack

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By TOM BRENNAN

tbrennan@tampatrib.com

Published: June 19, 2009

TAMPA - The 43-year-old nurse's aide was in the front row as prosecutors made their final arguments against the man accused of raping her on Aug. 18, 2007.

But she huddled in the back of the courtroom as jury members filed in with their verdict Thursday. Her tears started running when the first guilty verdict was announced.
Assistant State Attorney Rita Peters turned in her seat and gave the victim a big smile.

"We did it," the victim said.

It took jurors an hour to find Jerrod Pass, 39, guilty of two counts of sexual battery and a count of armed burglary. He faces up to three life sentences.

Investigators say Pass is the serial "stinky rapist" who terrorized the area around the University of South Florida. He was charged in 11 cases, including eight sexual assaults. This week's case was the first to come to trial.

Authorities say the serial rapist stalked young black mothers and threatened to harm their children if they resisted or called for help. The "stinky" moniker was bestowed by authorities because victims said their assailant had a foul odor.

Pass chose not to testify, and the defense presented no witnesses.
Circuit Judge Wayne S. Timmerman scheduled sentencing for Aug. 3.

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