CONVICTED RAPIST TO UNDERGO EVALUATION.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer

A 48-year-old Lancaster man convicted of drugging and raping women he lured to his home on the pretext of a medical survey was ordered Friday to undergo a 90-day psychiatric evaluation.

Ronald Rowen, who faces a maximum of 19 years in prison, will return to court in February for sentencing.

``Mental health professionals will observe him and send him back to us with a report regarding their observations and opinions of him,'' Deputy District Attorney John Portillo said. ``It will help the sentencing judge make up his mind.''

Investigators said Rowen used sleeping pills on his victims, whom he assaulted while they were unconscious.

Rowen was convicted Nov. 9 of seven charges, including rape by use of drugs, rape of an unconscious person and attempted rape by use of drugs.

Prosecutors said the attacks occurred from February through September 1998. Rowen has a minor criminal record, but no history of sex offenses, officials said.

Sheriff's detectives said Rowen had advertised starting in 1996 for a house sitter, a part-time helper, or someone to rent a room.

Deputies said Rowen offered women callers $50 to $75 to try what he said was medication not yet on the market.

If men answered Rowen's ads, officials said he discouraged them from taking the position or room.

Detectives began a two-month investigation after being contacted by a 25-year-old Palmdale woman, who said she participated in the survey and felt highly suspicious when she awoke. She did not remember being assaulted, but a medical exam indicated she had been raped.