A Whitehall Township man was convicted Sept. 3 on all charges in a South Whitehall Township rape and kidnapping case, according to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.

Erik Contes, 43, was found guilty of rape, kidnapping to facilitate a felony and sexual assault, all felonies, as well as misdemeanor indecent assault. The verdict followed a jury trial before Lehigh County Judge Robert L. Steinberg.

Authorities said a South Whitehall Township police officer found Contes’ vehicle parked near Wehr Mill and Old Sentry roads shortly after 2:30 a.m. June 2, 2024. The victim was highly intoxicated and required medical attention. Investigators later determined she had been raped and sexually assaulted, and DNA evidence matched Contes.

Contes faces a possible sentence of 26 to 52 years in prison and will be evaluated to determine whether he qualifies as a sexually violent predator. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 7 before Steinberg.