Sex Offender Allegedly Breaks Into Woman’s Home, Rapes Her at Knifepoint

A Level 3 sex offender allegedly broke into a woman’s home in Arlington on Sunday evening, beat her and raped her at knifepoint.

Essie L. Billingslea, 45, of 1 Blackstone Road, Boston, was arrested Sunday night and charged with aggravated rape (subsequent offense), home invasion, kidnapping, assault and battery and armed assault in a dwelling, according to police.

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According to Billingslea’s sex offender flyer, he was convicted of rape of a child with force in 1989 and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and rape and abuse of a child in 1995.

He was held without bail at his arraignment Monday in Cambridge District Court, according to WCVB reporter Todd Kazakiewich.

Arlington Police officers responded to the woman’s home at about 8:15 p.m. Sunday for a well-being check. When the officers entered the home, they found the woman with serious injuries. Billingslea fled from the home but was chased by officers on foot and caught soon after, police said.

"This is a heinous crime,” Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan said in a statement. “A woman has been viciously attacked in her home by a Level 3 sex offender with a history of violence. I commend my officers for capturing this dangerous felon, and we will spare no resource in providing the victim with the support and care that she needs."

Police said Billingslea did not know the victim but may have had family in the area, according to Boston.com.

The victim was being treated at an undisclosed hospital Sunday night. Her name and age, as well as her address, will not be released, police said.

The Level 3 sex offender designation is reserved for the most severe offenders. Level 3 sex offenders pose a "high risk" to reoffend, according to the state.