Rapist claimed to be gay to lull victims

CINCINNATI, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- An Ohio man convicted of raping three women gained the trust of his victims by telling them he was their "gay best friend," investigators say.

Robert Williams, 26, was found guilty this week in Cincinnati and faces up to 40 years in prison, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Police are looking for other victims.

Investigators say Williams spent months building a relationship with his victims, talking to them about religion and in one case even offering to loan a woman money. Then he would get them into his home and sexually assault them.

"I use the analogy of the spider and the web," Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor Katie Burroughs said. "He weaved intricate lies about who he was and what he was. Once the women became ensnared, he pounced."

In one case, targeting a 17-year-old, Williams was apparently not willing to work slowly He told the teenager he could help her become a model, promising she would meet a photographer at his house.

Williams was arrested when the teen reported the rape to police.