Crime & Safety

TIMELINE: Alleged Arlington Rapist's Past

Essie L. Billingslea has a long history of violent sex crimes against children.

Essie L. Billingslea, the Level 3 sex offender who allegedly broke into an Arlington woman’s home Sunday, beat her and raped her at knifepoint, has a long history of violent sex crimes against children.

Billingslea, 45, of 1 Blackstone Road, Boston, pleaded not guilty Monday to the charges against him. He was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing Friday, June 6.

A look at Billingslea’s past:

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1986, Billingslea, at 16, was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl at knifepoint. (Boston Globe)

1989, Billingslea, at 19, was convicted of rape of a child with force, according to the state Sex Offender Registry Board. He and two other males gang raped a 13-year-old girl. (Boston Globe)

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1995, Billingslea was convicted of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and rape and abuse of a child, according to the Sex Offender Registry Board. The victim was an 11-year-old girl (the rape occurred in 1993), and he was also charged with armed robbery and armed assault with intent to rob. (Boston Herald)

Feb. 13, 2006, After being declared a “sexually dangerous person” in 2003, Billingslea was committed to the Massachusetts Treatment Center in Bridgewater for life. (Boston Herald)

March 19, 2013, Billingslea was released from the Massachusetts Treatment Center in Bridgewater after a jury determined, in a 12-2 vote, that he was no longer a “sexually dangerous person.” (Boston Herald)

June 1, 2014, Billingslea allegedly broke into an Arlington woman’s home Sunday evening, beat her and raped her at knifepoint. Arlington Police officers responded to the scene for a well-being check and arrested a fleeing Billingslea soon after. Billingslea, now a Level 3 sex offender, 45 years old and listed at 1 Blackstone Road, Boston, was charged with aggravated rape (subsequent offense), home invasion, kidnapping, assault and battery and armed assault in a dwelling.

June 2, 2014, Not guilty pleas were entered on Billingslea’s behalf Monday at his arraignment in Cambridge District Court in Medford. He was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Friday, June 6.

Sources

Boston Globe: 3-time convicted rapist charged in Arlington attack

Boston Herald: Ex-juror horrified about sex assault: ‘I feel terrible’


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