PHOENIX — A serial rapist was sentenced Friday to 50 years in prison after several of his 13 victims told the judge they were tormented by his attacks.
The judge imposed the sentence under an agreement that had David B. Wilson Jr., 33, plead guilty on Nov. 1 to 13 felony counts of sexually assaulting or attempting to assault young women in the Phoenix area between July 2004 and July 2005.
Dozens of police officers worked on a task force assigned to catch the predator, dubbed the "A.M. Rapist" since he generally struck overnight.
Police began weeks of nighttime stakeouts, and the attacks stopped with Wilson's arrest after he was spotted prowling around a north Phoenix apartment complex as he stalked another potential victim.
Police said Wilson would track his victims' movements, watching some of them for weeks.
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"For about 10 months there was real fear in the community," Detective Randy Hutson told the judge. "It was all because of one individual."
Several of Wilson's victims spoke during his sentencing on Friday, thanking police for apprehending Wilson and telling Judge Joseph Heilman of Maricopa County Superior Court that they saw the sentencing as a point to begin or accelerate healing from the attacks.
"He has made me fearful of men," one victim told Heilman. "He has made me fearful for my daughter, my sisters and other women."
A victim who fought off Wilson and avoided being raped said she was still traumatized.
"I have nightmares every night of your smell, your touch," she said.
However, she said she relished Wilson's running from her apartment when she fought him off.
A mother read a letter from a daughter whom Wilson attacked.
"He shows up in my dreams to haunt me again and again," the daughter wrote.
The Associated Press does not generally name victims of sexual assault.
Choking back sobs, Wilson expressed his profound remorse for the crimes.
"I hurt so many people," he said. "I'm deeply sorry to all of you folks. It wasn't your fault."
