WEST FARGO (AP) - A man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping a 73-year-old woman in her West Fargo home at knifepoint.

Michael Waller Jr. was connected to the crime through DNA after his arrest in New York. He lived near the victim at the time of the attack in November 2005.

Waller pleaded guilty last month to charges of gross sexual imposition and burglary. In court Monday, he apologized to the victim. The woman told Judge Douglas Hermann she is still fearful and locks her doors.

Prosecutors asked for a 30-year sentence while the defense recommended seven years.

Authorities said the woman, who is now 75, was attacked while taking out the garbage in November 2005. They said Waller lived five blocks from her home at the time.

Authorities said Waller was released from a New York jail after serving a nine-month sentence for trying to sexually assault a woman in the hallway of an apartment building.